Abang Jo snubs Anwar in Kuching

Desmond Davidson Desmond Davidson Updated 5 years ago · Published on 21 Jun 2020 7:00AM · 17 Comments

A source says GPS has two non-negotiable conditions, one of them being ‘no Anwar as prime minister’, referring to PKR president Anwar Ibrahim. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, June 21, 2020.

SARAWAK Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg snubbed Anwar Ibrahim when the PKR president was in Kuching on Tuesday hoping to rally support to become the ninth prime minister, said sources.

The sources from the ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) and state PKR told The Malaysian Insight that Anwar took a chartered flight to meet Abang Johari, but the latter refused to make time for him.

The reason for the snub is not clear, but a PKR source said it has to do with the position that GPS previously took on whom to align with.

“Why Anwar bothered to come, I don’t know. We all know what GPS’ terms and conditions are (on whom to align with), and there is no way Anwar can get GPS to support him.

“For a start, GPS has two non-negotiable conditions – no DAP, no Anwar as prime minister.

“Last throw of the dice? Maybe.”

Abang Johari, explaining why GPS supported Muhyiddin Yassin as prime minister in late February to break the country’s political impasse, had said the coalition would not back a federal government with DAP as a member.

“We cannot work with DAP,” he has said on several occasions.

GPS is not only irked by accusations of misrule by DAP, but also does not trust a party looking to topple it in the next state elections.

However, Abang Johari has never publicly said why the coalition does not support Anwar as prime minister.

Anwar’s experience in Kuching matches claims by DAP and Amanah leaders that he failed to get GPS’ backing for the top job.

If he had been successful, he would have added the four-party coalition’s 17 MPs to the 96 in his pocket, securing for himself the prime minister’s position.

A minimum 112 of the 222 seats in Parliament is needed to form the federal government.

GPS comprises Abang Johari’s Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu, Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS), Sarawak United People’s Party and Progressive Democratic Party.

Anwar’s 5pm arrival at Kuching airport earlier this week might have been witnessed by Deputy Chief Minister Douglas Uggah Embas, said another source.

The Port Dickson MP’s jet landed after the helicopter carrying Uggah and his entourage arrived. Uggah had just returned from a flood inspection in his constituency in Betong.

The sources said Anwar’s Sarawak trip was a hushed affair, with no PKR leaders aware of it.

“I think even Larry didn’t know,” said one source, referring to state PKR chairman Larry Sng.

Asked for confirmation on the visit, state PKR information chief Abun Sui said he had no idea.

Even Deputy Chief Minister and PRS president James Masing said he has no knowledge of the matter.

Anwar’s trip came as Pakatan Harapan readies itself for another tilt at power through either a “counter-coup” or snap polls.

PKR is tussling with its PH allies, namely DAP and Amanah, which want Dr Mahathir Mohamad as the pact’s prime minister candidate in fresh elections or if it has the numbers to replace the Perikatan Nasional administration.

Anwar’s party has said it will reject any proposal to nominate Dr Mahathir for the position.

“We remain with the consensus that PH nominates Anwar as prime minister,” said the PKR central leadership committee after a meeting on Friday.

However, the party, in a statement issued after a special online meeting with its MPs, said it is open to discussions with all quarters, including Dr Mahathir, on how to save the country. – June 21, 2020.

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Comments

  • So will GPS drop their support for PH when Mahathir steps down or will they continue to support Anwar and DAP or would they want the PM position for themselves?

    Posted 5 years ago by Elyse Gim · Reply

    • GPS only wants to develop, and wants to have a stable federal government that gives Sarawak Rights back. PH has failed miserably by asking Petronas to sue GPS, refused to pay royalty and tax, refused to repair our schools with our money though it's the responsibility of the federal government.

      Posted 5 years ago by Gerard Lim · Reply

    • Bro, why waste your time with these PH bodoh sombong. Let them shout whenever there like, they thought their PH is the saviour, ignorantly supporting the same kleptocracy in ministers of PH too, 22 months in power, flexing muscle where every where they like, PH RIP.

      Posted 5 years ago by Ty Tiko · Reply

  • Did Anwar go to Kuching in the first place?

    Posted 5 years ago by Penganalisa L · Reply

  • Respected YB Datuk Seri, thanks to you and your party for making a firm stand on Tun M's position of PM. Please do us a favour. Force a general election by impressing on all PH MP's to resign from parliment ENMASSE. This stalemate is not good for the Rakyat. It seems a lost cause to recapture the lost PH government through the Counter-coup. The longer this impasse is prolonged, the biggest looser will be DAP then your PKR and Amanah. All 3 parties hard work and sacrifices over the past 2 decade will go to waste. It is time to restratigise and take DECISIVE ACTION. With due respect to TUN M, PH should leave him out. PLEASE FORCE A NEW GE. SOONER THE BETTER DATUK SERI YB. Please note the RAKYAT are suffering and PH is wasting precious time.

    Posted 5 years ago by Thomas Samuel · Reply

    • PH will be destroyed in a snap GE.

      Posted 5 years ago by Mirchu Jegavan · Reply

    • Do you care? You should be happy ...

      Posted 5 years ago by NA Bayezid · Reply

  • Wahhh, manyak langsi ooo

    Posted 5 years ago by Azman Daud · Reply

    • Exactly. Nothing is permanent in life. GPS were wobbled during GE14. They can be wobbled again. Bodoh sombong ...

      Posted 5 years ago by NA Bayezid · Reply

    • Your ignorant made you bodoh. GPS will not with arrogant DAP who detained our 700M for not repairing our dilapidated schools, who came here and told Sarawakians we are going bankrupt. The PH government challenged and sued us one month after in power. These are just few examples of how bad PH is to Sarawak. If you don't know shit then just shut up!

      Posted 5 years ago by Gerard Lim · Reply

    • After so many years being BN friendly, under Taib, under the same Sarawak government ... why is Sarawak still feeling inadequate. Still feel like 2nd class. PH is not perfect but it has only been in Putrajaya for less than 2 years. You think UMNO care so much of Sarawak? They only want your votes ...

      Posted 5 years ago by NA Bayezid · Reply

  • Private jet chartered to fly to Sarawak for that snub? Getting excited of becoming PM? Join MOO , Azmin and Hamzah of PN to smoothen your feelings.

    Posted 5 years ago by Swaminaidu Venkatasamy · Reply

    • I think he will!

      Posted 5 years ago by Mirchu Jegavan · Reply

  • So many lies from Anwar and PKR.

    His VP said yesterday that PH is always in the loop of negotiations!

    Posted 5 years ago by Mirchu Jegavan · Reply

    • Zero results. Not many respect this guy Anwar. Only party members idolising him till he become hero in their eyes.

      Posted 5 years ago by Swaminaidu Venkatasamy · Reply

  • to hell with the devil who would only works with the devil. poor sarawakians.

    Posted 5 years ago by . . · Reply

    • Poor you for being ignorant

      Posted 5 years ago by Gerard Lim · Reply