By Peter Sibon
KUCHING, March 23: Since ‘termites’ have been identified within the ‘house’ of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), they should be exterminated with immediate effect, opined University of Malaya Assoc Prof Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi.
He believed a state cabinet reshuffle is now imminent to get rid of these ‘termites’ in order to strengthen and consolidate the ruling coalition well ahead of the next state election, which is due in 2021.
“The way I see it, as the chief executive of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has no choice but to be bold enough to reshuffle his cabinet, the sooner the better.
“And secondly, such a move will ensure that his cabinet is streamlined and strengthen in order to retain the current 72 seats in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly or, better still, to snatch a few seats from Pakatan Harapan (PH) come the next Sarawak election that is due in 2021,” Awang Azman told DayakDaily today.
He was commenting on Abang Johari’s comment in Marudi on Wednesday (March 20) that GPS would get rid of ‘termites’ that have infested the coalition from within.
Awang Azman felt Abang Johari’s use of the ‘termites’ analogy in his strongly worded comment in Marudi meant he was no longer able to tolerate those who undermine the four-party alliance in GPS.
“We all know who and which party he was referring to even though he remained tightlipped about it two days later. This is understood, as he has to remain composed before taking the necessary action to exterminate these ‘termites’ from infesting and ruining his ‘house’ of GPS,” he said.
The Sarawak-born political analyst asserted that if the seemingly ‘storm in the teacup’ was not addressed now, then it had the potential to create a devastating ‘tsunami effect’ similar to what happened to Barisan Nasional (BN) in the 14th general election.
“An internal bickering is more dangerous and even more difficult to address. But the Chief Minister has been able to identify these ‘termites’, and so it’s just a matter of time to exterminate them,” he said.
For those who are not in the cabinet, it would be easier to exterminate them as they would not be fielded in the next state polls.
“GPS must be strong enough to face any challenges, be it from local-based opposition parties or from PH,” he emphasised. — DayakDaily
