By Adrian Lim
KUCHING, March 8: Political observer Datuk Peter Minos has lauded the move of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) in taking up federal cabinet posts under Perikatan Nasional (PN) plus GPS formula.
He believed GPS chairman and Sarawak chief minister, Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, has made a wise decision to accept Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s “invitation” to join the cabinet, as Sarawak will have an official voice through the representatives at the federal government.
“It is always good to be part of the federal government because the latter has exclusive powers over national finance, education, health, police, military and so on.
“If Sarawak is not part of the federal government, life is very hard and tough. Besides, GPS will be better placed to fight for Sarawak’s rights and interests, being in the federal cabinet and friendly to PN,” he said in a statement.
Minos cited rights such as the return of Sarawak’s powers under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), payment to Sarawak of the five per cent state sales tax (SST) on petroleum products, as well as more royalty from Petronas.
He believed that Sarawak could potentially receive more development funds and other benefits.
However, at the party level, Peter observed that GPS is not part of PN and has a free and independent voice of its own, as desired by Sarawakians.
He opined that with the collaboration between PN and GPS, the state government will have more strength to face the opposition in the upcoming state election. — DayakDaily
