PDP’s Tiong says GPS waiting for BN to choose between Perikatan, Pakatan before deciding on partner

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 21 — Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) president Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing has reportedly said that Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), of which PDP is a member, would wait before deciding on a partner to form the federal government.

The Star reported Tiong saying that since Barisan Nasional (BN) is still undecided on its partner between Perikatan Nasional (PN) and Pakatan Harapan (PH), it is prudent to keep out of the political impasse happening in Peninsular Malaysia.

“They have to find their own way to resolve it, why do we want to get involved? Of course, for GPS we will discuss among ourselves and the premier will make the final decision,” he told reporters at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly, referring to Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg.

Tiong reportedly said that its attitude was due to the fact that nobody has shown clearly that it has the numbers required to form a simple majority.

“Let’s say BN doesn’t work with PN, PM will not be able to form the government even with GPS’ support.

“They have a problem, we let them settle first among themselves,” he added.

PDP is one of four component parties in GPS together with Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) and Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS).

Yesterday, Abang Johari said GPS would work with PN, BN and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) to form the new federal government.

He also said that the coalition was backing Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to be the 10th prime minister.

However, Umno president and BN chairman, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had since denied that BN held negotiations with GPS for consent to form the next federal government with PN.

The BN Supreme Council could also not reach a decision today on which coalition it would support to form the next federal government, with less than 24 hours left to the extended deadline set by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to have political parties prove their majority and prime minister nominees.

PN chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin also claimed that he has the support of 112 MPs, but PKR secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the claim was “premature, impossible, and inconclusive.”