By Peter Sibon
KUCHING, Jan 25: Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing has chided a national news portal for twisting his recent statement that was published by DayakDaily.
The news portal had implied that Masing was questioning the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) leadership.
“At the beginning of GPS’ meeting, attended by Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS), Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP), there was no dispute that Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, Sarawak Chief Minister, should be the chairman of GPS and, hence, the leader of GPS!
“This was done months before GPS was registered and launched on Jan 19 (this year).
“During the launching on Jan 19, I first addressed Abang Johari as the chairman of GPS! It was, as clear as daylight, that he is our leader.
“If political observers in Sarawak or outside of Sarawak do not understand what I said, either they don’t understand English or they wanted to deliberately create misunderstanding in GPS. If it’s the second, then I am not interested in listening to them. They aren’t true friends of Sarawak,” Masing told DayakDaily today.
The said news portal, in its report, had implied that Masing’s recent statement had created a crack in GPS.
“My statement was even supported by PBB vice-president Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah. So, I hope the news portal will stop trying to create any suspicion among GPS component parties,” said Masing.
Recently, Masing told DayakDaily that GPS must choose the best leader in order to win the next state election, which is due in 2021.
He said the four GPS component parties must put their best ‘card on the table’ and let the people of Sarawak decide in the coming state polls.
“GPS must do away with the Barisan Nasional (BN) mentality, and all of us, from the four component parties, must sit down as a family and decide what is there for us.
“Let us pick the best leader to lead Sarawak. If you are the best leader for Sarawak, then let it be, regardless of who you are. And let’s not look at race and religion.
“If it is a Muslim, so be it. If it is a Chinese, so be it. And if they want a Dayak as chief minister, then we decide before the next state election. We must decide what we want and what is best for Sarawak that will allow us to win the state election,” Masing said.
Masing also reiterated that the coming state election would be GPS versus Malaya-based Pakatan Harapan (PH). — DayakDaily
