GPS outlines Covid-19 plan to Agong, keeps political cards close to chest
UPDATED 10.21PM | Added Upko's meeting outcome with the king.
Four component party leaders of the Sarawak ruling coalition Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) today met with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to outline their vision for the Covid-19 battle.
They later issued a press statement sharing that vision with the public but kept the coalition's future political direction close to the chest.
The virtual meeting was attended by PBB president Abang Johari Openg, PRS president James Jemut Masing, SUPP chairperson Sim Kui Hian and PDP chairperson Tiong King Sing.
Masing, Sim and Tiong, in a joint statement, said they backed Abang Johari's position as the GPS chairperson on three crucial factors in the fight against Covid-19 that were presented to the ruler.
They said this included accelerating the Covid-19 vaccination programme so that it can be completed by August in order to achieve herd immunity.
This would be several months earlier than the federal government's target to achieve herd immunity.
It also coincides with the expiry of the state of emergency.
Another key aspect, they said, was ensuring "the presence of a strong and stable government to ensure the Covid-19 programme and economic implementation are well-grounded".
Finally, they also emphasised the need for a Covid-19 economic exit plan.
Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin had yesterday announced that an exit plan was in the works.
However, the GPS leaders did not reveal whether there was any discussion on the political configuration at the federal level.
Tiong, when contacted, said the focus was on the economy.
"Nothing (on politics). It's only on Covid-19 and the economy," he told Malaysiakini.
He added that GPS also did not convey its preference about extending or ending the emergency.
The future of the Perikatan Nasional (PN)-led federal government is in focus ahead of the emergency expiry due to its fragile majority.
Its majority woes were temporarily put on hold in January when the emergency was declared as an emergency government did not need to rely on a parliamentary majority.
However, this will again become an issue once democracy is restored.
While Muhyiddin's majority is fragile, the opposition, too, is divided and has struggled to challenge the PN government.
GPS, which is part of the PN-led federal government, is seen as a key bloc that can swing the balance of power. It has 18 MPs.
The Sarawak state assembly expired on June 6 but was extended under emergency powers to prevent a state election amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Without the extension, the Sarawak election will need to be held in August, two months from the dissolution of the state assembly.
In a related development, the United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) has reportedly urged the king to end the emergency during a virtual meeting today.
According to the report by Astro Awani, the party president Wilfred Madius Tangau said this is because the emergency does not appear to help the government manage the pandemic, but instead Covid-19 cases increased far above levels seen at the beginning of the emergency.
The party also opposed former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s idea of setting up a National Operations Council (NOC), also known as Mageran.
“This is because Mageran does not involve the people and Parliament, but instead depends solely on the wisdom of its council members.
“In other words, the council members have to be like angels… meaning they have to be infallible because if there is a mistake, the people will rebel,” he was quoted as saying, adding that this would tarnish the king’s image.
The report said Upko raised nine issues with the king during the 20-minute audience, namely:
The emergency should be terminated immediately.
Parliament should be reopened and resume proceedings.
Enough parliamentary select committees should be set up.
Political stability should be ensured through a confidence and supply agreement.
Reject the proposal of setting up Mageran.
Vaccination efforts should be expedited and done inclusively.
Aid to the people should be streamlined and expedited.
The provision of laptops should be expedited and broadband internet coverage should be expanded.
The implementation of government policies should be streamlined.
