KUCHING: Prime minister hopefuls who are looking to tap Gabungan Parti Sarawak’s (GPS) support to form the next federal government must respect the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said this is GPS’ one and only condition, adding that there are no other hidden demands from the Sarawak-based coalition.
“I want to make it clear. We never demand (anything more). The problem is yours (not having the numbers), not me – it is your problem.
“You want my support, I will support. So far, the three prime ministers, I never demand (anything more), except, I said ‘you must respect MA63’,” he said when speaking to Khairy Jamaluddin and Shahril Hamdan, co-hosts of the Keluar Sekejap podcast which aired on Monday (July 22).
Abang Johari was referring to the political crisis in 2020 which saw GPS supporting Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin who went on to become prime minister, similarly Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob in 2021 and Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim after a hung parliament the last general election in 2022.
The Premier said Sarawak only wants the political situation in Malaysia to be stable as it would allow the politicians to focus on managing the country.
“What do we want? We only want Malaysia to be strong. That is all. Don’t forget that our neighbours, (Indonesia’s new capital) Nusantara is just next to us. I said during the Unity Government Convention that if Malaysia regresses, others will progress.
“Just look at our border posts between Tebedu and Entikong, West Kalimantan – just look. Entikong’s border post looks like an airport while Tebedu looks like a chicken coop.
“What is this? You (politicians) cannot do your job if you are fighting all the time. I am sorry I have to say this,” he said.
Meanwhile, on suggestions that GPS assumes the position of prime minister, Abang Johari said Sarawak’s small representation in Parliament would not stabilise the political situation.
“We have to be realistic, from the 222 parliamentary seats, how many are from Sarawak and we must remember there are also ambitious personalities in the fray.
“Before this, there were rumours of the Dubai move where my name was supposedly floated as prime minister. We only have 23 seats, and probably the next day someone with a bigger majority wants to change the prime minister again. So, the crisis would be unending.
“At the moment (it is not realistic), but we don’t know what happens in the future, it depends on the composition in Parliament,” he said.
