BY NATASHA JEE & NOOR SYAHHIRA HADY
KUCHING: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) has named Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as its choice of prime minister candidate.
Premier and GPS chairman Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the name will be forwarded to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah tomorrow (Nov 21).
“GPS chose Tan Sri Muhyiddin. The decision on who is the prime minister will be in the hands of the King, based on majority,” he said.
He said this to reporters in a special press conference after attending the pre-State Legislative Assembly (DUN) meeting at the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) headquarters today (Nov 20).
When asked whether there is an agreement signed between GPS and PN during their meeting earlier today (Nov 20) in Kuala Lumpur, Abang Johari said, “As far as GPS is concerned, we have mentioned our conditions as stated earlier because I think forming a government is more important.”
“At this stage of our political situation, everybody must have a side. That is why, in our view, PN, Barisan Nasional (BN), GPS, and Gabungan Rakyat Sarawak (GRS) – the two Borneo Blocs will support.
“As I said, the moment there is a result after the election, then we will support a stable government. That is our condition,” he said.
When asked if Muhyiddin had given any offer to GPS, Abang Johari said that matter will come later.
“On that, we will talk about it later. At this time, we must prioritise our people and our country is more important.
“We had our election and the people have given the mandate, and now, it is our responsibility to form a federal government, based on the people’s mandate,” he said.
To another question on whether Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had wanted to meet him, Abang Johari said everybody wanted to see him.
“Honestly, everybody wants to see me. Whether I see him or not (Anwar), that is immaterial,” he said.
On the question of the deputy prime minister post to be given to Sarawak in the Federal Cabinet, he said that will come later.
“Now, the people come first. We are not focusing on the deputy prime minister post, we prioritise the people first.
“Next year is recession, you know. GPS puts the interest of the people first.
“This has been our stand. So, if they want to work together with us, we can work together,” said Abang Johari.
