SARAWAK Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg categorically denied having met former deputy prime minister Zahid Hamidi to discuss the formation of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).

“There was no such meeting. There was no such discussion,” Abang Johari said through Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) information chief Idris Buang.

He was responding to claims made by the acting Umno president in a video clip, in which he told a gathering that the former Sarawak Barisan Nasional component parties had Umno’s blessing to ditch the BN coalition and form GPS.

The undated clip, now making its rounds on social media, also showed Zahid saying he and Abang Johari had met to negotiate the formation of GPS in view of the upcoming 12th state election in 2021.

Zahid said Abang Johari gave his views and agreed to the formation of the new state coalition.

Idris, who is also the Muara Tuang state assemblyman, denied Zahid’s claims that Abang Johari had guaranteed GPS would work together with BN in the event BN returned to power, or there was a secret pact between GPS and Umno to win the upcoming state elections.

He said the four former component parties of Sarawak BN withdrew as a “mutual deliberate act done purely upon one reason… that GPS is the only group of credible and capable Sarawak-based parties that could effectively fight for Sarawak’s rights”.

Idris said GPS was independent in every aspect.

He said the interest of Sarawak and its people, including its constitutional right and those as stipulated in the Malaysian Agreement of 1963, could not be undermined or prejudiced in any way “even by being merely perceived as having a relationship with any Semenanjung-based parties”.

“Therefore GPS, being a group of purely Sarawak-based parties who presently make up the state government, will be free from any outside or extraneous interference whether by former allies or foes, in any of its affairs and decisions.

“It is completely divorced from BN, period. Neither speculations nor conjectures could change that fact. It is self-standing and master of its own destiny.”

Idris said GPS would be “steadfastly focused and uncompromising” in its efforts to take back Sarawak’s infringed rights.

He also said BN’s fall from power was all linked to issues that had “nothing to do with us in Sarawak”.

“As far as we in GPS are concerned, most of the issues that significantly affected the performance of BN in GE14 had nothing to do with us,” he said, naming the 1Malaysia Development Bhd financial scandal, the East Coast Railway project, and the flurry of controversial Chinese investments.

“Leaving our former pact is therefore natural for us to do, to be neutral to all the political firestorms now happening across the South China Sea.”

Idris said GPS would concentrate on ensuring the well-being of the state and its people.

Earlier today, Bandar Kuching MP Kelvin Yii had asked Abang Johari to clarify Zahid’s claims in the video. – June 21, 2018.