By Doreen Ling
KUCHING, Apr 19: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) intends to field candidates in all seats in the next State polls, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said.
Speaking during the closing of the 2026 GPS Convention, he said that while he does not know when the election will be held, the coalition will field candidates in all constituencies being contested because only GPS can manage Sarawak’s affairs.
“While we continue to work together with our partners in Peninsular Malaysia, only the people of Sarawak truly understand our culture and our politics,” he said during the event, which was held at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here today.
He then recalled that during the late Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud’s tenure as Sarawak Chief Minister, the Sarawak government told the United Malays National Organisation (Umno) that there was no need for the party to expand into the state, stressing that Sarawak prefers not to have external parties disrupt its political landscape.
“We do not want parties from outside Sarawak to disrupt Sarawak. We already have good cooperation; we are like family, but please do not interfere with the Sarawak family.
“We are not being introverted; we take into account the interests of Malaysia as a whole. If Sarawak progresses, Malaysia progresses. If Sarawak’s economy is strong, Malaysia is strong,” he said.
He noted that tax revenues largely go to the federal government, while the State government collects only certain sources such as sales tax—meaning that while Sarawak’s economy grows stronger, much of the revenue ultimately goes to Putrajaya.
“And if Sarawak becomes divided, Malaysia too will become divided. Which do we want to protect? We protect the nation of Malaysia, and at the same time, we protect Sarawak.
“We maintain good relations and cooperation as partners, but this cooperation must be respected. Without Sarawak, the federal government may not have such stability. It is because of Sarawak that Malaysia remains stable,” said Abang Johari, who is also Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) president and GPS chairman.
Also present were Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) president Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president Dato Sri John Sikie Tayai, Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) president Dato Sri Tiong King Sing, PBB secretary-general Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi, and others. — DayakDaily
