By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, Nov 25: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will meet with the Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg soon, says Datuk Abdullah Saidol.
The Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Corporate Affairs, Information and UKAS) said there is a possibility that Anwar will fly down to Kuching himself.
“I was made to understand that our prime minister will meet with the premier (but) the time and venue, I am not certain of.
“I think he (Anwar) will come to Kuching,” he told reporters when met at Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) Complex here today.
He further said the four-eye meeting would see Abang Johari brief the new prime minister on the Gabungan Parti Sarawak’s (GPS) stand on several intolerable matters, especially on the coalition’s struggle to reclaim Sarawak rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and the interests of her people.
Sarawak also wants the Constitution of the State of Sarawak to be respected, which, among many, states that there is no official religion in Sarawak and that while Malay is the national language, English is still used as its official language.
“There is no direct implication, but we will continue to work together with the federal government as happened before when Pakatan Harapan (PH) governed the country and under the administration of different prime ministers for the last three years.
“GPS’ stand is very clear where we want a stable federal government, political stability, and to ensure that the cabinet lineup is capable to face the economic environment, which is expected to be quite turbulent next year.
“I believe these will be among the many topics that transpired during the meeting later. However, overall, the GPS elected representatives, be it Members of Parliament (MPs) or assemblymen, will leave the entire discussion to the discretion of the GPS top leadership,” he added.
At the same time, Abdullah, who is also Semop assemblyman, described Anwar’s offer to appoint a Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) from Sabah and Sarawak as a “genuine” and “sincere” offer, especially after Anwar hinted that the post is very likely to go to GPS.
“We (GPS) are flattered, and we appreciate the offer, but most importantly, as frequently mentioned by Premier (Abang Johari), it is not about who is going to be the DPM but to stress that the new prime minister and the new government must be able and capable to manage our country and to ensure that we are ever ready to face all the tough circumstances that we are going to face next year,” he continued. — DayakDaily
