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GPS not joining Umno-PAS political pact? Don’t believe it, says Sarawak Pakatan chief

A woman holds PAS-Umno flags during Himpunan Penyatuan Ummah (Muslim Unity Rally) at Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur September 13, 2019. — Picture by Miera Zulyana
A woman holds PAS-Umno flags during Himpunan Penyatuan Ummah (Muslim Unity Rally) at Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur September 13, 2019. — Picture by Miera Zulyana

KUCHING, Sept 15 — Sarawakians should know that there is a possibility of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) joining forces with the Umno-PAS political pact after the next parliamentary elections to form the federal government, state Pakatan Harapan (PH) chief Chong Chieng Jen suggested today.

He said it could happen if the pact manages to win a sizeable number of parliamentary seats, yet falls short of the required majority that will allow them to form the next federal government.

“I am absolutely certain that GPS would then cooperate with the Umno-PAS pact to form the next federal government,” he said.

Chong was responding to Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari’s statement that GPS are not concerned with Umno and PAS signing a political cooperation memorandum charter, known as the National Consensus Charter, yesterday.

Speaking at the opening of PH women’s convention here, Chong, who is also Sarawak DAP chief, said GPS is fully aware of the fact that if it joins Umno and PAS to form the pact now, it would be punished by the voters in the next state election.

“That is why they publicly state that they are not joining forces with Umno and PAS,” he said, adding there is nothing to stop GPS from venturing in that direction since the party has been a friend of Umno for the last 50 years.

He said GPS would still be in Barisan Nasional had it not lost the 14th general election.

Chong, who is also the deputy domestic trade and consumer affairs minister, urged Sarawakians to save the state from a probable GPS and Umno-PAS pact.

“That is something that we hope for, and I hope the four Sarawak partners — DAP, PKR, Amanah and Bersatu — be a united force to defeat GPS in the next state election,” he said.

Meanwhile state PKR chairman Baru Bian, in his speech, said the PH women’s wing must play an effective role in ousting GPS from power in Sarawak.

He said women members should go to the ground to win the support and confidence of voters by explaining the federal government’s development policies and issues affecting the country.

He also reminded PKR members to avoid getting involved in corruption and abuses of power.

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