Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others.
– Jack Welch, American business executive, author, and chemical engineer
The 14th general election (GE14) on May 9, 2018 had just been held and when the results were declared, Barisan National (BN) lost its majority in Parliament and Pakatan Harapan (PH) formed the new government. This brought on the first government change in our history since the formation of Malaysia in 1963.
The current prime minister is on record as having said that they did not expect PH to win and I am sure likewise many in BN did not expect to be out of power.
There was no substantial immediate impact as such on Sarawak in the political context since we were the only State that did not hold our State elections simultaneously with the parliamentary polls. BN Sarawak was still the State government. Nonetheless, there was an impact in terms of the loss of some previously deemed unassailable BN seats.
However, with Sarawak now deemed an opposition State there was not much time to ‘mope around’ and start the blame game. The euphoria of the PH win eventually settled and they turned their sights on Sarawak.
Many started to express their desire to break free from the Malayan-dominated BN and looked at the loss as an opportunity. The murmurings from all levels of members in the Sarawak BN component parties to exit from the coalition grew.
The talk of creating a new political platform eventually culminated in an announcement by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg on June 12, 2018 that Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu Sarawak (PBB), Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) were leaving the BN after over 40 years of alliance.
The Chief Minister further announced the formation of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS). This was seen as a good move taking into account numerous internal and external political factors.
In the spirit of reasonableness and cooperation, the chief minister announced that although GPS would not be a component of PH, it would “… cooperate and collaborate with the federal government for national interest, and State rights and interests based on the Federal Constitution and the Federation of Malaysia”.
On August 23, 2018, GPS chairman Abang Johari announced that GPS had been registered and was waiting for the issuance of an official letter from the Registrar of Societies — GPS was legalised on November 19, 2018.
There were, of course, some worrisome comments and signs of trepidations upon the departure of the four component parties. This led to various speculations, including GPS joining PH.
However, with the formation of GPS, a new and exciting chapter in the history of Sarawak begun. No doubt, the challenges and pressures facing GPS were enormous, but the political landscape warranted the setting up of this Sarawak-based coalition party.
It was at this time also that PH started behaving in an increasingly antagonistic and unreasonable manner after their promises in ‘Buku Harapan’ concerning Sarawak was exposed as mere fiction and ‘hot air’. It turned out to be a ‘Book of No Hope’. At least some fairy tales have a chance of turning out to be true, but not ‘Buku Harapan’.
The GPS chairman immediately set about working on Sarawak’s interests and rights based on the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63). To his and the team’s credit, many new initiatives for the economic advancement of Sarawak and its people have also been rolled out.
This was reflected in the budget for 2019. Some of the many people-centric policies are beginning to show positive results and there are many in progress.
The 2020 State Budget themed “Accelerating Development for the Wellbeing of All Sarawakians” that the chief minister just announced yesterday has expanded on these people-centric and rural centric commitments.
The six key strategic thrusts including digital economy as the key enabler of economic transformation and INVESTMENT-DRIVEN ECONOMIC GROWTH will propel Sarawak towards its goal of being developed by 2030.
These achievements and initiatives are proof of GPS’s commitment to Sarawak. The latest proposed budget by the chief minister and his team is the real ‘Buku Harapan’.
Due to prudent economic management Sarawak has done relatively well. With the newly proposed budget, Sarawak can expect further growth and development for its people.
The decision to set up GPS has been the right one. There is no other practical or viable option. To work for the interest of Sarawak, only a completely Sarawak-based coalition will genuinely work.
We cannot anymore look to anyone outside — this is akin to contracting out the running of Sarawak to an external party that does not have the interest of its people at heart and only looks upon at Sarawak as a source of revenue.
Sarawak has its own unique approach to governance. Its distinctive multi-racial, multi-cultural and multi-religious composition needs to be continually nurtured and enhanced. The Malayan approach of ‘one size fits all policies’ and divisive nature of politics cannot work and should not be allowed here, especially via their Federal Village Community Management Council (MPKKP).
There are still unchartered waters ahead for Sarawak. But with the right captain at the helm, we are being steered in the right direction by our chief minister.
Happy first anniversary to GPS and indeed a bright future for the people of Sarawak.
The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the New Sarawak Tribune.
