By Karen Bong
MIRI, Aug 26: The GPS government played a major role in determining the stability of the federal government when the country was plunged into a week-long political crisis in February this year.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg emphasised that Sarawak is a model state of unity and harmony which has allowed development to be implemented without disruption.
“It is not me who said it but West Malaysians who came here to learn from us on how to build a harmonious and united community.
“Other than setting up Unifor (Unit for Other Religions), it is also the close working relations between the Muslim and non-Muslim people in Sarawak,” he emphasised during a working visit to officiate at the earth-breaking of the Integrated Community Centre project at Taman Jelita off Taman Tunku here today.
Abang Johari pointed out that harmony and unity are among Sarawak’s best traits which has allowed the state government and leaders to develop the state easily.
“We can think unlike the peninsula which is problematic because they are too divided. We hope they can reunite among themselves,” he added.
In February this year, Abang Johari recalled, Malaysia has no government because the then prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad resigned abruptly.
“We also did not know who asked him to resign. When they could not form a government as there was no clear majority and (they were) short in numbers of support, in the end, we, which had left BN (Barisan Nasional) and is now GPS (Gabungan Parti Sarawak)… they asked for our stand.
“The Istana Negara called me while I was in Belaga asking for Sarawak’s stand on the prime minister of Malaysia. Then I told Istana Negara at about 3pm that GPS will support Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. At 5pm they announced Muhyiddin as the new prime minister.
“We are the one determining the stability of the Malaysian government then. The people of Sarawak,” he said.
Abang Johari emphasised that it demonstrated that the harmony, unity and stability was crucial for a nation to move forward, including in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic. — DayakDaily
