GPS politicians cannot be bought, stresses Abdul Karim
KUCHING: Politicians from Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) are a different breed from the rest in that they are not party-hoppers or can be bought, said Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
The Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister added that as they were cultured, it was impossible for the Opposition to dangle the carrot in front of them, “not even RM10 million”.
“For quite a while, I have seen many politicians easily jumping from one party to another. I don’t need to name from which state, but dangle a little carrot, most of them would jump.
“I’m not saying that those party-hoppers are receiving money or other things, but I personally believe there must be something that drives them to jump.
“Not many people would want to become ‘frogs’ since it comes with a very bad stigma whereby you will be seen as having no credibility,” he said.
Abdul Karim was speaking to reporters at a press conference held at the Pandelela Rinong Aquatic Centre in Petra Jaya here on Monday after chairing a meeting with sports development officers under the Sarawak Sports Corporation.
He stressed that the act of party-hopping was not something that GPS politicians would do.
Abdul Karim admitted that he had also received calls, asking him to party-hop as well as getting other GPS members to do so, however he bluntly turned the offers down.
“I know my friends (in GPS) whether they are MPs or ADUNs … you can dangle anything in front of them, they won’t jump.
“That is the culture that we have built in Sarawak politics and that is what makes us feel so proud,” he stressed.
On June 12, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg described the GPS coalition as a “pretty lady” who had attracted many suitors, what with rumours of Pakatan Harapan (PH) courting members to jump over.
