Sarawak government leaves BN

Bede Hong Bede Hong Updated 5 years ago · Published on 12 Jun 2018 12:26PM · 5 Comments

Chief Minister Abang Johari Abang Openg with leaders of state-based parties in Kuching today. – Facebook pic, June 12, 2018.

THE Sarawak government has unanimously agreed to leave Barisan Nasional to form a new coalition of Sarawak-based parties known as Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS). 

The coalition will comprise Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu Sarawak (PBB), Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) and the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP). 

The decision was made after much delibration, reflection and due consideration, taking into account the country’s political development post-GE14, the parties said in a joint statement today.

Chief Minister Abang Johari Abang Openg today held a meeting in Kuching with the component leaders to decide on the direction of the state government. 

“Our new coalition will enable us to focus on Sarawak’s interests and rights based on MA63 (Malaysia Agreement 1963),” the statement said, adding that the decision to leave was made in the interest of “the people and the state above all else”.

It said GPS will “cooperate and collaborate” with the federal government on issues of “national interest and state rights”.

“We believe that it is timely and appropriate for the state of Sarawak to embark on a new political platform, going forward, to face challenges in line with the changing aspirations, needs and demands of a very wide cross-section of Sarawak’s populace,” the statement said, adding that the state was “uniquely” multiracial and multi-faith. 

“We strongly believe that the formation of this new coalition will enable and empower us to serve the people better, in line with the aspirations and desires of the people of Sarawak.

“We are confident that this is the most pragmatic and appropriate decision to bring Sarawak into a new era desired by the people of Sarawak,” it said.

It was reported that Abang Johari had, on May 31, informed Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad about the decision to leave BN, and assured the latter that Sarawak would support the Pakatan Harapan government in “matters of Sarawak’s interests and in the interest of Malaysia as a whole”.

Aba‎ng Johari subsequently met Umno acting president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in Kuala Lumpur. Zahid had pleaded with Abang Johari, who is also Sarawak BN chief, not to go ahead with PBB’s withdrawal.

The move by the Sarawak government will shave 19 parliamentary seats from the 79 that BN won on May 9, further weakening the coalition that had ruled the country for more than six decades. – June 12, 2018.

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Comments

  • Here is the problem, what if UMNO-PAS combine, then they enter Sarawak and spew THEIR brand of politics, now Sarawak parties no longer BN. nothing to stop branch of UMNO and PAS working against them..Its not so easy - go ask Widodo and Indonesia..

    Posted 5 years ago by Bigjoe Lam · Reply

    • Rather it may force UMNO to go multiracial instead. No way it can regain federal power without seats from Sabah and Sarawak.

      Posted 5 years ago by Malaysian First · Reply

  • Rats will naturally desert a sinking ship. It is survival instinct.

    Posted 5 years ago by Henry Mancini Jr · Reply

  • Will GPS try to do a "Warisan" instead? Will PH catch their corrupt leaders or will they manage "The Great Escape"? And will they go back to BN if PH lose the next GE?

    Posted 5 years ago by Malaysian First · Reply

  • 1. same corrupt guys operating under a different name means jack shit !
    2. every other politician or civil servant is a bloody datuk seri or tan sri. whats with all these titles ? all the corrupt umno/bn guys have titles like that . so we can all be thieves and get to be datulks ??

    Posted 5 years ago by Linfah kau · Reply