Pact to form new Federal Govt now in question

In high spirits: Abang Johari holding a media statement about GPS’ alliance at the PBB headquarters in Kuching. With him are Sarawak deputy premiers (from left) Douglas Uggah Embas and Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan. — Bernama

KUCHING: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) will work with Perikatan Nasional, Barisan Nasional and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) to form the new Federal Government, Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg announced.

However, Barisan chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the coalition never made a decision on forming a pact.

The Sarawak Premier said the state coalition was also backing Perikatan chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to be prime minister.

He said GPS’ decision was made in the interest of political stability and in the people’s interest – subject to conditions laid out by GPS which include upholding the supremacy of the federal and state constitutions and 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 and other issues related to Sarawak’s interests,” Abang Johari told a press conference at PBB headquarters here yesterday.

He had met Muhyiddin and PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang in Kuala Lumpur earlier yesterday to discuss the formation of the new government.

Abang Johari, however, disclosed that no agreement was signed with Muhyiddin to formalise their coalition during the meeting.

A coalition comprising Perikatan, Barisan, GPS and GRS will have 131 seats, with Perikatan winning 73 seats, BN 30, GPS 22 and GRS six seats.

A total of 112 seats are needed for a simple majority. Polling at the Baram parliamentary constituency in Sarawak was suspended due to bad weather.

Asked if Muhyiddin made any offer to GPS, Abang Johari said this would come later.

“The country and the people come first. We have held the general election and the people have given their mandate. Our task now is to form the government based on the mandate received,” he said.

Asked if Pakatan Harapan chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had reached out to GPS, Abang Johari said “everybody” wanted to see him including Anwar, whom he said he had not met.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid said the coalition had not made any decision on forming a pact with Perikatan on a new Federal Government, adding that there were also no discussions with GPS on the matter.

“So far, no discussions were held with Perikatan that translates to an understanding to form a Federal Government,” he said in a statement last night.

Ahmad Zahid, who retained his Bagan Datuk seat, also said all 30 Barisan MPs who won in GE15 had signed a statutory declaration and given him the mandate to determine any political pact in forming the new Federal Government.

“Any MP who goes against the party’s instructions will result in the disqualification of party membership, including the parliamentary seat, in line with the anti-hopping law as stipulated under Article 49A of the Federal Constitution,” he added.