KUCHING: Now that Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) has been registered, the path ahead is clear for the coalition of four Sarawak-based political parties to move ahead in what may be seen as a new era in Sarawak politics. The homegrown coalition’s objective, of course, will be to win the next state election in 2021. GPS comprises Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP), all of which quit the Barisan Nasional (BN) after the defeat of the BN in the 14th general election on May 9.
Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced on Monday that the Registrar of Societies (RoS) has approved the registration of GPS and that the official letter will be issued in the next few days. Political analyst Assoc Prof Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi, a senior lecturer at Universiti Malaya, said the GPS registration shows that RoS under the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government is allowing equal opportunities on a level playing field for all political parties.
Azman said GSP would concentrate on local issues, like the Malaysia Agreement 1963, petroleum royalty and Sarawak autonomy to gain the people’s support and win votes in the next state election. “This alliance will also try to prove that only local parties can understand Sarawak needs and the local problems,” he said.
Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Supreme Council member Dr Hazland Abang Hipni said that after nearly five months of waiting, GPS’ registration has opened up a new political chapter, allowing the state’s political landscape to change with local parties in control. “This decision allows GPS to reinstate the rights of the people and the state of Sarawak which were eradicated accidentally or on purpose in the context of the Federal Constitution,” he said. Dr Hazland, who is also Demak Laut assemblyman, pointed out that GPS was set up to defend and retrieve the rights of Sarawak that had been eroded so far.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg had stated that GPS would secure Sarawak’s rights which had been eroded since 55 years ago. “Therefore, we will ensure that Sarawak has the right to develop the state in accordance with the interests and needs of the people. “We also want Sarawak’s rights to be restored to enable the state to develop together like the states in Peninsular Malaysia,” he said.
