KUCHING: Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Information Chief, Dato’ Haji Idris Haji Buang through a press statement yesterday categorically denied the occurrence of any such meeting or discussion which purportedly depicted former Deputy Prime Minister Dato Seri Zahid Hamidi giving a speech to an unidentified audience where he allegedly mentioned about having a meeting and discussion with our Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi (Dr) Abang Johari Tun Abang Haji Openg who is also PBB president in a video which is being spread through the social media.
“I would like to refer to a video on the social media which purportedly depicts Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Zahid Hamidi giving a speech to an unidentified audience In that footage he allegedly mentioned about having had a meeting and discussion with our Yang Amat Berhormat Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Abang Haji Openg regarding the latter’s intention to form Gabungan Party Sarawak (GPS) and leaving Barisan Nasional.
“As one of the authorised spokesmen, on behalf of our party President, I hereby wish to state that our YAB President and our party categorically deny the occurrence of any such meeting or discussion. There was no such meeting. There was no such discussion. Our party President had clearly announced that the intention of leaving Barisan Nasional and form Gabungan Parti Sarawak instead, is a mutual deliberate act done purely upon one reason… that is for it (GPS) being the only group of credible and capable Sarawak-based parties that could effectively fight for Sarawak’s rights ,” the statement said.
“GPS would move on as a united front. It is independent in every aspect of its existence and disposition in its own right. It is well comprehended that the interests of Sarawak and its people including its constitutional right and those as stipulated in the Malaysian Agreement of 1963, cannot be undermined or prejudiced in any way even by being merely “perceived” as having a relationship with any Semenanjung-based parties.
“Therefore GPS, being a group of purely Sarawak-based parties which presently made up the State Government, will be free from any “outside or extraneous interference” whether by former allies or foes, in any of its affairs and decisions. It is “completely divorced” from Barisan Nasional. Period. Neither speculation nor conjectures could change that fact.
It is self-standing and master of its own destiny. It will be steadfastly focused and uncompromising in its effort to take back Sarawak infringed rights and that it will do without fear or favour.
“As far as we in GPS are concerned, most of the issues that significantly affected the performance of Barisan Nasional in GE14 had nothing to do with us in Sarawak, namely 1MDB, ECRL, China Investment, to name a few. Sarawak-based members under the leadership of Datuk Patinggi Abang Jo, have immaculate and exemplary track records as a responsible State Government and we will continue to do well in dedicatedly serving our people.
Our paramount and most important priority now is to make sure Sarawakians of all backgrounds will continue to be served and their basic needs particularly those in the rural areas are addressed in the best way.
So, leaving our former pact, is therefore a natural thing for us to do in order to be neutral to all the political firestorms that are now happening across the South China Sea.
We just concentrate with ensuring the well-being of Sarawak and its people are well-kept and improved to a much greater level,” the statement concluded.
