KUCHING: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) has agreed to the establishment of a Unity Government Consultation Council.
“We have informed our friends in the federal government that we have agreed on the establishment of a Unity Government Consultation Council,” said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg during a press conference after chairing the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Supreme Council Meeting at the party’s headquarters yesterday (April 1)
Abang Johari added, “We will use the Unity Government Consultation Council to consult with the federal government on the direction of the country’s development and to coordinate in case of any internal problems. Although there is no problem thus far, we always have a consultation process, including discussions on how we can develop state projects worth RM50 million.”
The formation of the Unity Government Consultation Council is among matters agreed upon in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Pakatan Harapan (PH), Barisan Nasional (BN), Gabungan Parti Sarawak, (GPS), Gabungan Rakyat Sabah and Parti WARISAN (WARISAN) as a support to the formation of the unity government on Dec 16, 2022.
The Consultative Council must be established and consist of representatives certified by the main parties that form the unity government, namely PH, BN, GPS, GRS, and WARISAN.
The Council has the responsibility to ensure that all the terms agreed upon in the MoU are implemented carefully and orderly, allowing the unity government to operate stably and effectively, without affecting the policies and orientation of the parties that have agreed to form the cooperation.
Any disagreements and misunderstandings that arise must be resolved harmoniously through the Council.
Abang Johari, who is also the GPS chairman and PBB president said other matters mentioned in the meeting were regarding the visitation of federal ministers to Sarawak.
“We hope that all federal ministers visiting the state and implementing projects will inform us in advance. This will enable us to organise and coordinate the ministers’ visits, ensuring that they focus on target areas.
“Sometimes, we need state officers to know what the federal ministers are doing and what projects they want to implement so that we can coordinate the projects as required by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim,” he said.
Additionally, he noted that most federal ministers adhere to the prime minister’s direction, emphasising that the state’s interest should be the top priority.
“The prime minister also mentioned the need to follow the state’s protocol and for them to work together with state leaders in managing and administering projects implemented in Sarawak,” said Abang Johari.
