KUCHING: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) will support a coalition with Perikatan Nasional, Barisan Nasional and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) to form the new federal government, says Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
The Sarawak Premier said this decision was made in the interest of political stability and the people's wellbeing, subject to conditions laid out by GPS.
He said GPS' conditions included upholding the supremacy of the Federal and state constitutions and the rule of law as provided for in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) report.
"We also want freedom of religion and cultural diversity in Sarawak to be upheld as enshrined in the Federal Constitution, MA63 and IGC report.
"In addition, we want education and health autonomy as well as other matters related to Sarawak's interests," he told a press conference at PBB headquarters here on Sunday (Nov 20).
Abang Johari also said GPS backed Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to be the prime minister.
He noted, however, that it was up to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to choose as prime minister the individual who commanded the majority of support.
Abang Johari also said no agreement was signed with Muhyiddin on forming the coalition during their meeting on Sunday morning.
"This is our statement. We see what is the decision.
"These are our conditions," he said.
Abang Johari said what was important now was to form a strong and stable government to protect the people's well-being and steer the country through economic challenges.
As such, he said GPS and GRS, as a Borneo bloc, would support the coalition with the numbers to form a stable government.
Asked if Muhyiddin had made any offers to GPS, Abang Johari said this would come later.
"The country and the people come first. We have held the election and the people have given their mandate.
"Our task now is to form the government based on the mandate we have received," he said.
Asked if Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had reached out to GPS, Abang Johari said "everybody" wanted to see him, including the Pakatan Harapan chairman.
However, he said he did not meet Anwar.
Abang Johari also said he was speaking on behalf of GPS only with regard to the coalition it was supporting.
"Our priority is the people and Sarawak’s interests.
"If others want to work with us, we can work with them, but these are the things that we want.
"And we must protect our culture," he said.
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