SARATOK, Nov 18 — Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) chairman Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg today called on voters to reject peninsula-based political parties contesting in the state in the 15th general election (GE15).
The Sarawak premier said these political parties should not be allowed to take root in Sarawak “because they will bring in a political culture that is different from ours.”
He said the peninsula’s political culture is not suitable for Sarawak where the Malays, Dayaks and Chinese live in harmony, and race and religion are never an issue.
“That is why I have repeatedly said that we must protect our culture by rejecting Peninsular Malaysia-based parties, like Perikatan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan,” he said at the Sarawakku Sayang programme in the Kalaka state constituency.
“I am sorry if there are people from the peninsula, who are present in this function, listening to me.
“If you are here, we can work together in the interest of Malaysia, but Sarawak culture must be protected,” the premier said.
He said he was defending Sarawak’s culture as what his predecessors Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud and Pehin Sri Adenan Satem did before him.
“Personal interest does not count in this general election when it comes to national matters,” he said, in an indirect reference to Datuk Ali Biju, who is defending his Saratok seat on a PN ticket in the general election. “Whether it is good or not, it is up to him, but the nation cannot rely on personal interest,” he said.
Abang Johari said GPS is contesting all 31 seats up for grabs because it wants to defend the state within Malaysia.
“I want to make it clear that Sarawak is the most stable state in Malaysia and its economy is strong,” he said.
He said there are people who want to seek help from GPS, describing Sarawak as the “kingmaker”.
He said the national media have also reported that Sarawak and Sabah will be kingmakers in deciding which national coalition will form the federal government on November 19.
He said there is no clear indication as to which national coalition will win the greatest number of parliamentary seats in Peninsular Malaysia.
He said GPS will bargain with any national coalition that wants to form the federal government.
“If they want to work with us, we want the power to be returned to us through the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) Report,” he said, adding that GPS wants to reclaim the state’s rights that have been eroded.
He said GPS will not accept any appointment for the post of deputy prime minister being proposed by PH and BN if it is just a ceremonial role without any real power.
“I will make a decision based on the wishes of the state. GPS is like a beautiful single lady. They all want to send a marriage proposal, but I have replied not now because we want to protect our Sarawak families first before making a decision,” he said.
