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By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Sept 2: The Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) coalition will unite to contest all 82 seats in the next Sarawak election, which is expected to take place within the next three to four years, and protect Sarawak at all costs.
Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg emphasised that GPS would replicate the same unified approach that led to their success in the previous 12th State election in 2021, winning 72 out of 82 seats in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly.
“Together with SUPP, we act as one. Next election in three years, which is not that long away, we will contest all 82 seats under GPS (banner).
“I am giving you an early warning because, as a Sarawak-based party, we must contest and protect Sarawak at all cost,” he said when addressing Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) special convention in conjunction with 60 years of Sarawak’s independence held at the party headquarters here today.
Abang Johari also highlighted Sarawak’s crucial role within the Federation of Malaysia, acknowledging that the State’s cooperation was essential.
“While we are partners in the Federation of Malaysia because they need us, if we pull out, they will feel the impact.
“As friends, we do not do it (intend to withdraw) because we prioritise the greater good of the nation over the messy politics that is going on there,” he explained.
The Premier reiterated that only Sarawak-based parties could effectively safeguard the interests of Sarawak.
He invoked the words of the late Pehin Sri Adenan Satem, the former Chief Minister of Sarawak, saying, “The late Adenan said it, and I echo the same sentiment. We want all our component parties to speak in harmony, united in one voice, one tone, and one song.”
When asked whether there would be negotiation with the federal unity government, Abang Johari maintained Sarawak’s autonomy to make independent decisions.
He firmly stated, “Why would there be negotiations? We are separate (entities),” he told reporters in a doorstep interview later.
Deputy Premier and SUPP president Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Minister of Transport Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin, SUPP deputy president Dato Sri Richard Riot Jaem, SUPP Women chief Kho Teck Wan, SUPP Youth chief Michael Tiang, Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president Datuk Joseph Salang, and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) vice-president Dato Henry Harry Jinep were among those present. — DayakDaily
