GPS wants to focus on “taking back Sarawak’s infringed rights, doing it “without fear”.
Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg denied that he ever had any meeting with former Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to discuss the formation of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).
Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Information chief Datuk Idris Buang said the chief minister, who is also PBB president, refuted that such a meeting occurred.
“There was no such meeting and discussion taking place. Our party president had clearly announced that the decision to leave Barisan Nasional (BN) and formed GPS was a mutual deliberate act done purely upon one reason, that is to effectively fight for Sarawak’s rights,” said Idris in a statement.
Idris was responding to a video footage which supposedly depicts Zahid giving a speech to an unidentified audience about his meeting and discussion with Abang Johari on why four local parties – PBB, Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) – left BN to form GPS.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6bEB4z7bLU
Idris said GPS would move on as a united front and, therefore, would be free from any outside interference, whether from former allies or foes, in any of its affairs and decisions.
He said GPS government has “completely divorced” with BN and would focus and not compromise in its effort to take back Sarawak’s infringed rights, adding that “it will do it without fear”.
“As far as we in GPS are concerned, most of the issues that affected the performance of the BN in the 14th general election had nothing to do with us in Sarawak,” he added.
Idris said that GPS government under the leadership of Abang Johari had excellent track records as a responsible state government and would continue to be dedicated in serving the people.
“Our paramount and most important priority now is to make sure Sarawakians of all background will continue to be served and their basic needs particularly those in the rural areas are addressed in the best way,” he added.