GABUNGAN Parti Sarawak’s (GPS) application to be a political party has been approved, said Muhyiddin Yassin today.

“It has been approved and the letter from the Registrar of Societies should be out in a few days,” the Home Minister told Alexander Nanta Linggi (Kapit-PBB) in Parliament today.

The Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu secretary-general had asked the Home Ministry about the status of GPS’ application to register as a political party that was submitted three months ago.

GPS was formed on June 12, when Sarawak-based parties PBB, Sarawak United Peoples’ Party, Parti Rakyat Sarawak and  Progressive Democratic Party, quit Barisan Nasional to form their own coalition.

On another matter, Muhyiddin said he will ask the Immigration Department to study offering a special passport targeted at Malaysians from rural areas who want to perform their umrah in Mecca.

“Many villagers only get to travel once in their life to go to umrah and it would be good if the government can consider issuing one-time use special passports for them so that they can save some money,” said Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man (Kubang Kerian-PAS).

Tuan Ibrahim made the suggestion during the Ministers’ winding-up speeches on Budget 2019.

“It’s a good suggestion and we will get the Immigration Department to study it and see how it can be done,” said Muhyiddin. – November 19, 2018.