MIRI: Sarawak wants to be politically “independent” and it will not join Pakatan Harapan, says Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He said Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) considers itself autonomous but friendly to the Pakatan government in Putrajaya.
GPS component parties comprise Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP).
The parties were formerly with Barisan Nasional.
“After the 14th General Election, we in Sarawak opted out of Barisan due to the changing national political landscape.
“It is a good move for us, as we in Sarawak were ‘controlled’ by the national Barisan when it came to making policies and decisions.
“When we are in GPS, we will have autonomous power to make our own decisions.
“We will work closely with Putrajaya but we will not join Pakatan. GPS is politically independent,” Johari said when presiding over the 13th Miri city day celebration here on Saturday night.
Johari said he had spoken to Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad on the need for the state government to work closely with Pakatan at the national level.
Sarawak needs federal funds for the state’s massive multibillion projects, he said, adding the state would use its own money to finance some projects.
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