By Peter Sibon
KUCHING, Sept 1: Voting for GPS in the coming state election is not akin to support Pas, asserts PBB supreme council member Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.
He said the fact of the matter is that Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) is not part of Perikatan Nasional (PN) of which Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS) is a component party.
“We are (only) with PN in support of the leadership of Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. That’s all. In PN, there is Pas, there is Umno (United Malays National Organisation). But we are not together with them actually because our ideology is different.
“Whatever ideology that is being brought up by other parties, whether it is Pas, Umno or even Bersatu (Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia). We have our own political view which is different (from the PN component parties),”
“As such, we hope that the PN component parties will not contest against GPS in the coming state election, as it would affect the collaboration at the federal level,” Wan Junaidi told reporters after witnessing the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) and UDA Holdings Berhad at a hotel here today.
Additionally, Wan Junaidi, who is also Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives pointed out that there is no way GPS was cohorts with Pas as the latter has contested in many elections in Sarawak.
“What it means is, when you vote for GPS (it) is not voting for Pas. You can verify this with the Chief Minister, (Parti Rakyat Sarawak president) Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing, (Progressive Democratic Party president) Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing and (Sarawak United Peoples’ Party president) Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian, what is their stand?,” he asked.
The Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) senior leader asserted that the reason for GPS to support PN was due to the failed policies of the previous Pakatan Harapan (PH) government that has not brought any benefits to Sarawak.
“For instance, now we have won our case against Petronas (Petroliam Nasional Berhad) even though it appealed. But because we have a good understanding with PN at the federal government, Petronas decided not to pursue with its appeal.
“If not we will not see the money which Petronas is going to pay us,” he explained.
Wan Junaidi reiterated that support for the PN federal government will bring much needed funds to develop Sarawak.
“Our strategy (to join PN) is to develop Sarawak actually,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, the outspoken Santubong MP reiterated that GPS will take on even the PN component parties such as Pas and even Bersatu should they decide to contest in the coming elections.
“Pas has been established in Sarawak since the 1990s but it have been rejected in all elections, even by the Malays. But we can’t stop it from contesting in elections. Not even Bersatu. And we will stand firm on our principle and will defend all our seats.
“In my opinion, if Bersatu stands in seats such as in Puncak Borneo or Saratok, we don’t care. We will go for it,” he said, referring to both Puncak Borneo MP Willie Mongin and Saratok MP Ali Biju respectively who have joined Bersatu.
However, he gave assurance that GPS component parties are all ready for the coming state election. — DayakDaily
