KUCHING: Gabungan Parti Sarawak’s (GPS) reason behind backing Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as prime minister is to save Malaysia from political turmoil.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg explained that the country could not be left hanging.
“When I see this sort of problem, we have to save the country with the right choice,” he told reporters at a press conference after officiating the MultiReligious Harmony Forum at Sarawak Islamic Information Centre (IIC) here yesterday.
He said last Saturday, the federal side decided who they wanted to lead the country and they were waiting for GPS’ decision.
“On that day, I was in the remote areas of Sungai Asap. They could not reach me due to poor connection.
“So I had a call from Istana Negara at about 4pm when I was at home. A friend asked, “Why did Abang Jo go to Sungai Asap at this hour?” I said Sarawak people first. Why should I be bothered because it is not our problem. It is their problem,” he said.
Abang Johari said he got the mandate from GPS leaders to decide, and they decided to go for Muhyiddin whose appointment was later announced at 5pm.
When asked if GPS would accept a Cabinet post if given, he said getting the post was secondary.
“What is important is putting the country first. GPS’ decision is to save the country from political instability.
“Number two, the basic struggle of GPS is to protect Sarawak’s interest and the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63),” he added.
The chief minister said the federal side needed GPS’ support for the sake of the country. “At least, the state is now stable as there is a prime minister to lead the nation.”
Asked why GPS supported Muhyiddin instead of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad or Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, he said there was no other option.
“I know Muhyiddin, not to say (personal friend). I know all of them, Anwar and Muhyiddin, since young. So between the two or three, you got to choose one,” said Abang Johari.
He said so now, the people could see and understand why they left Barisan Nasional (BN) to form GPS.
“If we are in BN, then the BN man is the spokesman for us. And now we are on our own, we are separate entities. They have no choice but to look for me for help even though I was in Sungai Asap,” he said.
Abang Johari said GPS was not regionalistic. “But that is the real power sharing,” he added.
