KUCHING: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg did the right thing in stopping United Malay National Organisation (Umno) from coming to Sarawak, said Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing.
He said Sarawak had disallowed Umno making any inroad into Sarawak since Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud was the chief minister in the 1980s.
“The reasons for Abang Johari to stop Umno from coming to Sarawak, are as valid as it were in the 80s. Those reasons are still valid now,” he told New Sarawak Tribune when prompted for comments on Abang Johari’s statement that Umno would not be allowed to enter Sarawak.
He said Umno did not really understand Sarawak, and some leaders in Umno were aware of their shortcomings on Sarawak, and therefore they did not force their way in.
“I am confident that Umno under Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi will keep their distance from Sarawak,” said the Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president.
Meanwhile, PRS Women chief Datuk Seri Doris Sophia Brodie said Abang Johari as the chairman of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) has no qualm expressing his views on this matter as GPS was always putting Sarawak and the wellbeing of the people first.
“We cannot allow anyone with extreme culture and thinking to infest us in Sarawak,” she told New Sarawak Tribune Saturday.
She said Sarawak stands proud of its diversity which is uniquely displayed through harmony and unity among not less than 28 ethnic groups with different beliefs and faiths.
“In Sarawak religion plays a significant role in nurturing the culture of decency and modesty among Sarawakians whilst it also reflects and strengthens the identity among various ethnics too,” she pointed out.
She reminded that although GPS was working together with Perikatan Nasional (PN) and Umno at the federal level, GPS has remained a separate entity.
“Our relationship is very much for the political stability and harmony of this country,” said Doris.
