KUCHING, Nov 25 — Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) president Bobby William today expressed hope that the newly-minted Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim would consider appointing a non-Muslim Member of Parliament from Sarawak or Sabah as a deputy prime minister.

He said the appointment could assist the prime minister on all matters affecting the special interests of the two Borneo states as enshrined in the Federal Constitution, including the outstanding matters in the Malaysia Agreement 1963.

"In the meantime, PBDS is open for discussion with Pakatan Harapan on all issues affecting the Dayak community in Sarawak,” Bobby said when responding to Anwar’s statement that he would appoint a deputy prime minister to come from Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).

He said PBDS, as a communal-based political party, is hopeful that Anwar will build a nation that unify all races with the purpose towards a common goal to make Malaysia a country that is determined, progressive and harmonious.

"PBDS prays that he will be fair to all Malaysians,” Bobby said.

Separately, Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) president Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh also congratulated Anwar on his appointment, saying that his is a deserving case which is an exemplary of a human endeavour.

"Down once, down twice, down so many times. He never gave up and eventually he emerged triumphant. When there is a will, there is a way,” Wong said during the debate on the State Budget 2023 at the Sarawak State Assembly.

He said with the cooperation of all other parties in Malaysia can lead to a stable and united government that will move forward.

"I am happy to note that there was strengthening of the ringgit and Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange upon the appointment of Anwar as the 10th prime minister yesterday.

"I hope that this will signify the economic outlook for our country going forward, notwithstanding the global economic headwinds,” Wong, who is a former Sarawak’s Second Minister of Finance, said.

Yesterday, state Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg announced that the ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) had agreed to form a unity government led by Anwar in compliance with the decree of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.