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By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, July 15: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) will not send its machinery but leave it to its representatives in the Federal Cabinet to assist in the Peninsular Malaysia state polls.
Its chairman Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, said as a component as well as part and parcel of the unity government, GPS, therefore, has a duty to support the other component parties who will face six state polls.
“We have requested our ministers (and deputy ministers) to perform their official duty to give our support to the unity government parties over that side (in Peninsular Malaysia), and we will be sending our representatives to various states on nomination day,” he said at a press conference after chairing the GPS Presidential Council Meeting at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here earlier tonight.
Responding to a reporter’s query, Abang Johari, who is also Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) president, further stressed that GPS will not be sending its machinery.
He believed that GPS representatives comprising five full ministers, including Deputy Prime Minister Dato Sri Fadillah Yusof and Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture Dato Seri Tiong King Sing, as well as six deputy ministers, would play their part as they, through their posts, also oversee other states in Malaysia.
“Let them work on our behalf. You must remember that during those months, we are busy with our 60th anniversary of Sarawak Independence, and GPS’ priority is ‘Sarawak First’.
“However, our ministers can represent us over there,” he added.
He further said if the country wishes to be advanced, the unity government must have a creative policy.
“I can contribute my ideas—that is all. I honestly gave my ideas to Prime Minister (Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim) to strengthen Malaysia’s economy because Malaysia has investment coming in, but you have to make sure your tariff is competitive, and your power is enough.
“And they have to change their coal power plant because coal is not friendly to the environment and the Bank is not going to fund (the project) as it is not (following) environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices,” he emphasised.
Amongst those present were Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) president Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian; Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) president Dato Seri Tiong King Sing; Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum; and PBB vice president Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas. — DayakDaily
