KUCHING: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) leaders, including chairman Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg on numerous occasions, had said the coalition would only decide to work with any party after the 15th general election (GE15) – to form a strong and stable federal government.
However, Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen had repeatedly challenged Abang Johari as well as GPS candidates Eric Tay (Bandar Kuching) and Lo Khere Chiang (Stampin) to name their prime minister candidate.
DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang, who attended the party press conference in Sibu on Tuesday (Nov 8), also urged GPS to name their prime minister candidate to avoid misleading Sarawakians.
Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Youth chief Miro Simuh later slammed opposition leaders for raising such a question despite the message being loud and clear – GPS would only decide after GE15.
He assured that Abang Johari and other GPS leaders were wise enough to choose who they would support and form the government after the election, for the interests of Sarawak and its people.
“Why they need to question us in such a way? What are their motives?”
“(I think) DAP has no other issues to play with, thus, come up with such an idea that is impractical at all?” Miro said.
GPS, he said, had been concentrating and focusing on winning the election, thus, whatever issues that DAP tried to trigger would merely be a political plot for their own mileage, not for the people.
Meanwhile, Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Women chief Kho Teck Wan was amused with the challenge, saying, “How are we going to choose a prime minister when we don’t know who is going to win or have majority seats yet?”
“Isn’t a prime minister named and chosen after the election?”
Kho believed that the DAP leaders had run out of ideas and issues, hence, harping on the same topic.
She said it was important for GPS to achieve a landslide victory to have a louder voice in negotiating with any party from West Malaysia after GE15.
“If we already promised anyone or any party a sure support, there is no need for them to compromise or negotiate with Sarawak, which will be a disadvantage to us, that is not how smart politics work,” she explained.
“Why would Chong push and challenge Sarawak to compromise our position? Chong’s move is not in favour of Sarawak, he and his actions consistently prove his intentions.”
Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum also urged DAP leaders to mind their own business.
“Why are they busybodies? Why can’t we wait until we know who is available (with a strong support)?”
