By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, May 16: Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg today invoked a famous P. Ramlee idiom to stress the importance of unity within Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), saying differences among component parties should be resolved for the greater good of the State and its people.
Speaking during the Progressive Democratic Party’s (PDP) Triennial General Assembly (TGA) 2026 in Sibu today, Abang Johari referenced the well-known Malay idiom popularised by the late Malaysian entertainment icon P. Ramlee.
“P. Ramlee said, ‘sedangkan lidah lagi tergigit, inikan pula suami isteri’ (it is natural for minor disagreements to occur in relationships). No problem can’t be solved.
“What I’m saying here is that even as a family, we would face disagreements, but we give priority to our family because of our children. We do not want our children to suffer,” he said.
An audio recording of the speech was later shared with DayakDaily.
Abang Johari further said the same principle should apply within GPS, adding that any differences among component parties should be resolved internally to ensure Sarawak remains politically strong and stable.
“If Sarawak’s voice is to be heard, Sarawak must remain united in the front. We must unite. If there are small differences, we try to solve them,” he added.
Abang Johari, who is GPS chairman, also reminded party members that Sarawak’s political influence at the federal level was built on the coalition’s unity, pointing to GPS’ role during periods of political instability in Putrajaya following the resignation of former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in 2020.
He recounted how GPS was consulted during the appointments of former prime ministers Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, as well as during the formation of the Unity Government led by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim after the 15th General Election.
“In other words, when politics is volatile, it is the united component that will define the future of Malaysia. We are united; otherwise, they would not listen to us. Because of our strength, they have to seek our views; otherwise, they would bypass us.
“Thankfully, politics in Malaysia is now relatively stable. If it were not stable, how would we be able to develop Malaysia?” he pointed out.
He also described GPS as a ship carrying all Sarawakians together through policies based on inclusivity and the needs of the State’s multi-racial and multi-religious society.
GPS is made up of four component parties, namely Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP).
Among those present during the PDP’s TGA 2026 were PDP president Dato Seri Tiong King Sing, PRS president Dato Sri John Sikie Tayai, GPS secretary-general Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi, SUPP vice president Datuk Michael Tiang Ming Tee and PDP deputy president Datuk Henry Harry Jinep. — DayakDaily
