SIBU: The Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) coalition maintains an effective internal system of checks and balances, despite securing a significant majority in the state, says Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Addressing concerns about potential power imbalances within the state, Abang Johari pointed out the GPS’s commitment to democratic principles and accountability.
“So far, so good. In the last state election, we won 76 out of 82 seats. There are people who said that if we win all the seats, GPS will be too strong and there would be no checks and balances.
“But don’t worry, GPS has its own internal checks and balances because we are a coalition, we have partners and stakeholders. So, it doesn’t mean if you have a majority, democracy is dampened. No, because we have a culture of checks and balances,” he said.
He said in his speech at the Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Chinese New Year celebration 2024 cum party’s 65th-anniversary dinner attended by 1,600 delegates here last night (Feb 17).
Meanwhile, on the SUPP 65th anniversary, Abang Johari highlighted the party’s continued relevance in Sarawak politics.
He commended SUPP for regaining the people’s confidence in the last state election, particularly in Sibu, where the party successfully reclaimed its traditional seats in Bukit Assek and Pelawan.
Abang Johari also drew parallels between SUPP and Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu Sarawak (PBB), describing them as akin to siblings. These parties were among the pioneers of coalitions in Sarawak in the 70s, predating the existence of Barisan Nasional (BN) in the state.
“We were the first ones. We formed a coalition government under Tun Datuk Patinggi Haji Abdul Rahman bin Ya’kub and the late Tan Sri Datuk Amar Stephen Yong Kuet Tze because we wanted to work together, to develop Sarawak, and to give a future to Sarawak, and until now we are still ‘alive’ under my leadership.
“Instead, we (the coalition) are getting larger with Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) joining in,” he said.
Abang Johari hopes that SUPP will have another successful 65 years in future.
Also present were Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Datuk Seri Sim Kui Hian and his wife Datin Amar Enn Ong Siok Ean, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin, Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, Sarikei MP Datuk Seri Huang Tiong Sii, Deputy Public Health, Housing and Local Government Minister cum organising chairman Datuk Michael Tiang Ming Tee, Bukit Assek assemblyman Joseph Chieng Jin Ek and others.
