By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Nov 18: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) will put up a fierce fight for all 31 seats in this 15th General Election (GE15) in order to assert that Sarawak is in a strong position and defend its sovereignty within Malaysia.
Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg observed that there is already speculation that Sarawak and Sabah will be the kingmaker in who will form the Federal government as the Peninsula coalitions have no clear majority.
“Tomorrow is polling day, and there are already signs that they will need us, including Saratok. They are fighting for our support and my decision will be based on the needs and importance of Sarawak and the people.
“If the seat (Saratok) flips to GPS, we will have the negotiation power including here. If it goes to Perikatan Nasional (PN), it will go to Peninsula whose boss is on that side across the seas.
“In Sarawak, you (the people) and I are the boss. We will bargain for Sarawak. They (Peninsula) want to court us with the DPM (deputy prime minister) post but what is the use of becoming a puppet without power? That is not what Sarawak wants,” he said during the Sarawakku Sayang Programme at Sri Kalaka Main Stage in Saratok which was streamed live through Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas) social media today.
Abang Johari emphasised that GPS will not compromise for anything less but all powers under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) to be restored to Sarawak.
“Like how (the late Pehin Sri) Adenan (Satem) put it, we will not stop until we get it and we have been successful in several matters to date.
“This is our continuous fight. We must all rise up together. We must get back the rights that have been eroded including the 35 per cent Sarawak and Sabah representation in Parliament,” he said.
Sarawak today, Abang Johari added, is the most stable State in Malaysia with a strong economy.
The State has now embarked on establishing the new economy based on renewable energy with the world now even recognising Sarawak, a small dot in the world map, for its clean energy initiatives.
“Mine and GPS efforts are for the betterment of the people, Sarawak and Malaysia as a whole. We politicked by prioritising the needs of the people. When it comes to the country’s affairs, there is no room for personal interest.
“We are fortunate that Sarawak has been progressing, our financial standing is strong and our economy is growing. Don’t let history repeat itself,” he said in reminding the people of the 22-months experience under Pakatan Harapan (PH) rule.
Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Deputy Minister of Community Wellbeing Development Mohamad Razi Sitam, State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki and Kalaka assemblyman Mohamad Duri were present. — DayakDaily
