KUCHING: DAP’s campaign strategy in linking the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) with UMNO will not work well as the latter is no longer relevant in Sarawak.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said DAP is a peninsula-based party; thus, they have to follow the instructions of its top leadership in Kuala Lumpur, including in their campaign strategy.
“I sympathise with them (DAP) as they have to listen to Kuala Lumpur’s instructions, I don’t think they have autonomy, and it is difficult for them,” he said during an exclusive interview with Sin Chew Daily on Thursday.
“So, they have to keep playing up UMNO issues in Sarawak despite knowing it will not have a great impact in the general election (as they need to follow instructions from Kuala Lumpur),” he pointed out.
Abang Johari, who is also GPS chairman, said this is the first time the coalition is contesting in a general election on their own.
Being an independent entity, he said, allows GPS to make their own decision, especially in fighting for the rights and interests of the people in Sarawak.
“In the past, we had to wait for the BN top leadership to sign the ‘watikah’ but now we decide and sign it (watikah) for our candidates in the election. There’s nothing to do with BN or Umno,” he said.
Meanwhile, Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian said the tactics used by the opposition in the GE15, was to confuse voters as there is no UMNO in Sarawak.
GPS is contesting in all 31 parliamentary seats in Sarawak in GE15.
