GPS hopes S’wak now in good hands

Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg and other state leaders launching Gabungan Parti Sarawak at Stadium Perpaduan in Kuching. - ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE / THE STAR

KUCHING: After Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) gave its support to Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to be the eighth Prime Minister, state leaders are hopeful of more development and funds as well as the fulfilment of state rights under the new Federal Government.

It, however, said it would not be joining the new coalition.

GPS’ Santubong MP Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar confirmed that the coalition’s lawmakers had given their backing to Muhyiddin.

“We decided to support Muhyiddin, ” he said, declining to give further details.

Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri James Masing called on federal lawmakers to settle down and govern the country as they were elected to do after the end of the political roller-coaster ride with Muhyiddin’s swearing-in as premier today.

“Let’s forgive and forget the past and get together and administer this country. After all, not all of us are angels and not everybody in the past were devils.

“It is my hope that Malaysian lawmakers will learn from their mistakes and be better administrators of our beloved nation, ” he said.

Assistant Minister of Corporate Affairs Abdullah Saidol hoped Muhyiddin would act fairly towards Sarawak and understand the needs of its people.

“Do not repeat the disrespectful attitude of the past federal administration. Sarawak’s special position as enshrined in MA63 and the Federal Constitution must be observed and respected, ” he said.

He also said the GPS-led state government was willing to cooperate with the new Federal Government on matters of mutual interest so that the nation could move forward, the economy stabilised and the people’s welfare addressed.

However, he said support did not mean joining the new coalition.

“All the basic principles of why we exited Barisan Nasional remain the same. We will defend (Sarawak’s rights) and will not be dictated bluntly to by the federal leaders that GPS will support, ” he added.

Separately, the Chief Minister’s Office said GPS would be friendly to the new Federal Government but was not a member of the Perikatan Nasional.

It said GPS supported Muhyiddin in the interest of the nation and to save Malaysia from political instability without sacrificing Sarawak’s interest.

“At this juncture, GPS will only be a political party that is friendly to Perikatan Nasional, ” it said in a statement.

GPS comprises Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP).

It now has 17 MPs after SUPP’s sole parliamentarian Datuk Seri Richard Riot reportedly joined PKR yesterday.