Sarawak remains behind Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, says Abang Jo

Abang Johari (seated centre) addressing a press conference.

By Peter Sibon

SERIAN, Sept 23: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has reiterated that Sarawak is behind Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as he viewed Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s sudden announcement today as ”pelik” considering the timing of event.

He was commenting about Anwar’s claims to have garnered “strong, formidable and convincing” support from among members of Parliament (MPs) to form a new “strong” government.

Abang Johari also rebutted speculations that Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) lawmakers have thrown their support behind Anwar, who is PKR president, to form a new government.

“I don’t know, (we are) busy taking care of Covid. But GPS will be behind Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin,” he told a press conference after officiating the Leaders With People Programme here today.

Abang Johari also maintained that he was clueless of Anwar’s claims that he had “good numbers” of support including from GPS in order to have an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, to present his case.

“I don’t know… including GPS? I have said during Malaysia Day (celebration) in Sibu that GPS will be behind Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. It stays,” he insisted.

On Anwar’s agenda, Abang Johari simply replied: “I don’t know, you asked him… He (Anwar) is doing it today while Sabah is having an election. I don’t know. You analyse… the timing.”

“My analysis is, (it is) “pelik” (weird),” he added, stressing that the country and leadership stability was more important at this critical period to ensure the economy and livelihood of people would improve.

Meanwhile, Anwar today announced in a packed news conference at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur that he had received consent to have an audience with the King yesterday (Sept 22) but the audience was postponed after His Majesty was admitted to the National Heart Institute for treatment.

He claimed that with the support he has, this means the government currently being led by Muhyiddin has collapsed.

Anwar however declined to reveal the number of MPs that have pledged support, saying only that he wanted to present the numbers to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong first.

He pointed out that he has obtained the support of “close to” two-thirds majority in the Dewan Rakyat, which include MPs currently part of the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government. — DayakDaily