KUCHING: The four components of Barisan Nasional (BN) Sarawak – Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu Sarawak (PBB), Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) – have made an unanimous decision to leave Barisan Nasional (BN) and form a new coalition of Sarawak-based parties called Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).
Announcing this at a press conference at PBB headquarters here yesterday, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said the decision was made after much deliberation, reflection and due consideration, taking into account the current post GE14 political developments in the country.
“GPS will cooperate and collaborate with the Federal Government for national interest and state rights and interests based on the Federal Constitution and the Federation of Malaysia,” said Johari who is also GPS chairman and PBB president.
“We believe that it is timely and appropriate for the State of Sarawak to embark on a new political platform going forward in order to face challenges in line with the changing aspirations, needs and demands of a very wide range and cross-section of Sarawak populace,” he said, pointing that Sarawak is uniquely a multi-racial, multi-cultural and multi-religious State.
“Indeed, we have long considered our diversity as our greatest asset in progressing and developing a successful and peaceful State, and therefore it is incumbent upon us all Sarawakians to continue to nurture and protect our values, to live in peace and harmony, comfortably among one and another.
“We will protect the interest of all Sarawakians regardless of the size of a community. This aspect is indeed not only our pride but also our joy as Sarawakians.
“Hence, the decision was made in the interest of the people and the State above all else,” Johari said at the press conference after the meeting at PBB headquarters here yesterday.
The meeting was attended by all the presidents, deputy presidents and secretary-generals of all the four components of the Sarawak coalition. Johari continued,”Our new coalition will enable us to focus on Sarawak interests and rights based on MA63. We strongly believe that the formation of this new coalition will enable and empower us to serve the people better in line with the aspirations and desires of the people of Sarawak.
“The decision to leave BN is with immediate effect and we are confident that this is the most pragmatic and appropriate decision to bring Sarawak into the new era desired by the people of Sarawak.”
Asked if Sarawak was satisfied with BN’s contribution to the State all these while, Johari said, “We are thankful for the cooperation we had before. But the situation now has changed and we have to get ourselves in tune with the changing situation.”
Johari reiterated that the new coalition will be friendly to the Pakatan Rakyat (PH) Government.
“We will collaborate with the PH Government because we are in the federal system of Malaysia. We have the federal constitution and we will collaborate for the interest of Sarawak and the whole nation,” he said.
On whether United People’s Party (UPP) will be included in the coalition, Johari said that would be decided later as the coalition is yet to be formalised.
Asked if the State Government will be called GPS Government after this, he said it has to be formalised first.
“We have to inform the State Assembly Speaker, we have to inform the Registrar of Societies (ROS) and we also have to inform the Secretary of the Dewan Rakyat. It won’t take much time as this is only a formality,” he said, adding that GPS and BN are different in their directions.
