GPS chairman says only its federal ministers, deputy ministers to help Pakatan-BN campaign in peninsular state polls
KUCHING, July 16 — Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg last night said only federal ministers and deputy ministers from Sarawak will help Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) parties campaign in next month’s six state elections in peninsular Malaysia.
He said this is because Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) is a component of the federal “unity government”.
“As a result, we have to give support in the six states,” the GPS chairman told reporters after chairing its supreme council. Abang Johari, who is also Sarawak premier, said he has requested the five federal ministers, including Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusuf, and seven deputy ministers to give their support to the peninsular parties on the nomination day, which is on July 29.
Abang Johari said GPS will not send its election machinery to the six states, adding that “we do not know what are the issues in peninsular Malaysia.”
“What we want to emphasise is that it is important for us to have a stable government,” he said, stating that he had suggested to the unity government parties in a recent meeting to adopt “Perpaduan Demi Kestabilan Dan Kemakmuran” (Unity for Peace and Prosperity) as its theme.
“What is important is that GPS is giving top priority to unity and a stable government. That is all,” he said.
He said he will not help in the campaign as he is fully occupied with his duties as the premier in Sarawak.
“You must remember that we are busy with our Sarawak’s 60th anniversary of Independence, and our priority is ‘Sarawak First’,” he added.
Abang Johari also said that GPS has no problem with its component party, Progressive Democratic Party (PDP), collaborating with state Opposition Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB).
He said PDP president Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing has briefed the GPS supreme council meeting on the collaboration with the signing of a memorandum of understanding signed in Kuala Lumpur three days ago.
“We feel that the intention is good. So let them have the collaboration. “But of course, PSB is not part of GPS,” he said.
He stressed that GPS will accept help from people, adding: “That is our stand.” “That is GPS, if people want to subscribe to the policy. Why not? The key is our policy,” he said.
