KUCHING: Gabungan Parti Sarawak’s (GPS) official logo of a hornbill signifies the aim of the coalition to fight for the state.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said this is so because the magnificent bird is the reason why Sarawak is called “Land of the Hornbills”.
“It (hornbill) is the emblem of the state and features prominently on the Sarawak Crest that serves to distinguish Sarawak from the rest of the world,” the GPS president said at GPS Logo and Song Unveiling Ceremony at Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) headquarters by Jalan Bako, yesterday.
Johari who is also Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu president (PBB) said the concept of the logo is based on the notion that GPS would defend Sarawak which is represented by the protected hornbill (Burung Kenyalang).
Describing yesterday’s event as historic in the politics of Sarawak, he said the four component parties of the coalition will indeed defend the rights of Sarawak as enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), Federal Constitution, and State Constitution.
GPS comprises PBB, Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS), Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP).
“GPS will defend the Land of the Hornbills that we love … to strive for fairness for all races and religions in Sarawak,” he said to huge applause.
“In our fight, we will continue to develop Sarawak in this new political era, and we will improve the quality of life and the economy.
“To all parties, let’s move together in protecting our blessed land of Sarawak.”
He thanked Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and the federal government for recognising GPS as an all-Sarawak coalition.
When asked by reporters about the arguments over the tourism tax and loans from the federal government, Johari wished the arguments could be stopped and resolved in a good manner.
Earlier, he also attended a meeting of the GPS supreme council comprising all presidents, deputy presidents, and secretaries-general from the four component parties.
He explained the colours of the GPS logo, saying the black on it symbolises the pillar that upholds the coalition’s objective; red, the supremacy of the federal and state constitutions; and white, the fairness of the rule of law.
During the launching ceremony, Johari also handed over the coalition’s flag to the women and youth chiefs of all the parties in preparation for the GPS Logo Rally Tour from tomorrow till Jan 18 in the state’s major towns.
The rally aims at introducing the logo and GPS’ vision to the people.
On June 12 last year, the four component parties made a unanimous decision to leave Barisan Nasional (BN) and form GPS. They made the move following BN’s loss in the 14th general election.
