Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg (right) and other state leaders waving to supporters at the official launch of the Gabungan Parti Sarawak coalition in Kuching. ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE / THE STAR
KUCHING: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) will uphold Sarawak's interests and determine the state's future on its own, says Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He said GPS, as an independent coalition of Sarawak-based parties, was no longer beholden to political masters from peninsular Malaysia.
"This is a new era for Sarawak politics. Starting from today, this is the GPS era for us to develop our state," he said when launching the coalition at Stadium Perpaduan here on Saturday night (Jan 19).
GPS was formed on June 12 last year when Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), the Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) quit Barisan Nasional in the wake of GE14.
Abang Johari said GE14 was a wake-up call for the Sarawak parties following a change in national politics.
"We decided to leave Barisan because over the last 55 years, peninsular politics affected us even though they had nothing to do with us.
"We don't have extremist politics here and we don't quarrel among ourselves.
"We must defend Sarawak's way of life, our unity and harmony," he said.
He added that GPS was formed to be a "partner" to peninsular Malaysia instead of being under peninsular parties as in the past.
"We can work with anyone as long as Sarawak's rights are respected," he said.
Abang Johari also outlined GPS' nine pillars, which include upholding the Constitution, respecting the rule of law and safeguarding Sarawak's rights and interests.
Other pillars are building prosperity, upholding political integrity and patriotism, strengthening Sarawak's economy, fostering unity and peace, building up future generations and preserving heritage and sustainable resources.
He said the next step for GPS was to go to the ground to explain its objectives and pillars to the people.
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