KUCHING: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) should be allowed to deliver on its promises to the people of Jepak as pledged before the 12th state election in 2021.
Chief political secretary to the Premier Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman said this is what the people want and not play politics.
“GPS leaders are being realistic on the prospect of opposition parties contesting in the Jepak state constituency which has become a GPS stronghold.
“The people of Jepak have continued to be supportive of the Sarawak government led by GPS to ensure continuous development in the constituency where its transformation was fought for and overseen by the former assemblyman, Allahyarham Datuk Talib Zulpilip,” he said.
He said this in a press release following a statement made by Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) president Voon Lee Shan who alleged that GPS leaders were being arrogant in asking smaller opposition parties to sit out of the Jepak by-election.
The Tupong assemblyman added that it is the aspiration of the people who want both the infrastructure and the local economy development implemented by the state government to be continued as it is the legacy of Talib over few decades.
“That being said, from the economic aspect, the cost of an election is burdening for a party or an individual.
“This is as well as preparing the election machinery for any party or individual in the current economy particularly in a by-election that is held near to middle of the term.
“While in a democratic system, we welcome anyone to contest in elections as it is their right and the democratic right for voters to elect their representative of choice, it is more prudent of opposing parties who are contesting in a constituency where they are not the incumbent or seats that they do not currently occupy to wait for the end of the term.
“This is where voters can evaluate the overall offering by the parties contesting and when the parties can have the opportunity to form a government because as it stands, the current government has a formidable majority and has the mandate to govern until the end of the term,” Fazzrudin said.
