Sarawak coalition unveils logo

Ready to soar: Abang Johari (left) and other component party leaders unveiling the GPS logo – which depicts a red, black and white hornbill in the shape of the letter S – at PBB headquarters in Kuching.

KUCHING: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) has pledged to continue to develop Sarawak and keep fighting for the state’s rights as it unveiled its logo.

Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said GPS would defend Sarawak’s rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963, federal and state constitutions and in accordance with democratic principles.

He said this was reflected in the coalition’s logo, which depicts a red, black and white hornbill in the shape of the letter S.

“Red symbolises the supremacy of the federal and state constitutions.

“White represents the fairness of the rule of law and black refers to the pillar of the coalition to uphold our objectives.

“We will be fair to all the people of Sarawak, regardless of race or religion,” he said when unveiling the logo at Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) headquarters yesterday.

GPS consists of PBB, Sarawak United People’s Party, Parti Rakyat Sarawak and Progressive Demo­cra­tic Party after pulling out of Barisan Nasional on June 12 last year.

Abang Johari said the coalition was historic as it was made up of Sarawak-based parties, which put the state’s interests first.

“To our component parties and members, let us move forward together to defend Sarawak,” he said.

Also launched was the GPS song titled Sarawak First and a roadshow across the state to promote the logo.

Political analyst Assoc Prof Dr Jeniri Amir from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak said GPS would have to work hard to get the people familiar with the logo, ahead of the next state election, due in mid 2021.

“The people are used to the Barisan logo for many years. It’s very important for GPS to introduce their logo and create awareness among the grassroots, especially in rural areas and longhouses,” he said.

The logo was selected from a competition held last year with the winning entry designed by 20-year-old student Voon Cherng Jyh from Kota Padawan.

Voon, who is studying software engineering at Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, said he was inspired by the hornbill, Sarawak’s well-known emblem and state bird.

“I designed a hornbill looking up to the sky to show that we are proud to be Sarawakians,” he said.