KUCHING: The GPS Flag Rally, which set off on Jan 11 in Lawas, finally arrived here from Serian for the last leg of its journey today.
Today, which marks the second last day of the rally, will see the convoy making four stops, starting with Siburan, before moving on to Dewan Suarah Bau, Dewan Suarah Lundu and ending at Phase I, RPR Batu Kawa Multipurpose Hall.
It is learnt that interesting programmes have been lined up at all the stops and the convoy will be accorded a rousing welcome.
Tomorrow, the convoy will be heading to Sadong Jaya before making its final stop at Dewan Suarah Samarahan.
The rally, which was kicked off by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan in Lawas, will culminate with the launch of GPS by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg here on Jan 19.
About 8,000 supporters are expected to attend the grand launch to be held at the State Indoor Stadium.
The rally covers a total of 19 stops statewide.
Participants from Kuching flew to Kota Kinabalu on Jan 10 before taking a bus to Lawas.
On the second day, the convoy made its way to Bekenu, Bintulu and Mukah, followed by Selangau and Sibu on the third day, Kanowit and Kapit (Day 4), Sarikei and Betong (Day 5), Sri Aman, Balai Ringin and Serian (Day 6).
GPS, comprising four former components of state Barisan Nasional – Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS), Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) – was approved as a political coalition by the Registrar of Societies on Nov 22 last year.
The parties opted to quit Barisan Nasional (BN) on June 12 after the federal BN coalition was defeated in the 14th general election.
Some 60 members of the four GPS component parties participated in the flag rally, aimed at publicising its “Kenyalang” (Hornbill) logo to the people statewide.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the logo, unveiled by Johari in a ceremony held at the PBB headquarters at Jalan Bako on Jan 9, would be GPS’ symbol in the next election.
He hoped the rally would serve its purpose of promoting the GPS logo to all supporters.
During the unveiling of the logo on Jan 9, Abang Johari said GPS’ determination to defend Sarawak’s rights was depicted by the protected hornbill.
