‘No hidden agenda in single multiracial GPS suggestion’
KUCHING: Parti Rakyat Sarawak ( PRS) president Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing says his suggestion of a single multiracial party representing the Sarawak government has no hidden agenda.
The deputy chief minister is under fire of late for suggesting that a single multiracial party is a better concept than a coalition of parties.
The former Sarawak BN – comprising Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu ( PBB), Sarawak United People’s Party ( SUPP), Progressive Democratic party ( PDP) and PRS – is in the midst of fine- tuning and registering a new coalition called Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).
Masing, who is also Minister of Infrastructure Development and Transportation, said he mooted the idea to ensure that GPS or whatever form it might finally be, continues to administer Sarawak after 2021. He was referring to the possibility that the election might be held latest by first quarter of 2021.
“If my suggestion is not suitable, let’s find a better one that works. As a stakeholder I stand to be corrected. But please don’t quarrel or threaten any body beyond the ambit of GPS as a coalition.
“I have been an elected representative since 1983 (for 35 years), that’s more than enough for me. I have done my best to make a better Sarawak.
“Please note we have many younger leaders who can take
If my suggestion is not suitable, let’s find a better one that works. As a stakeholder I stand to be corrected. But please don’t quarrel or threaten any body beyond the ambit of GPS as a coalition. I have been an elected representative since 1983 (for 35 years), that’s more than enough for me. I have done my best to make a better Sarawak. Please note we have many younger leaders who can take over after Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has completed his service. I wish the younger leaders all the best. Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing, PRS president
over after Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has completed his service. I wish the younger leaders all the best.”
Masing did not mention names but it’s obvious he was responding to the stinging criticisms hurled at him by PBB vice- president Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah who is also Minister for Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports.
Abd Karim said Masing’s suggestion was akin to questioning and creating an issue of the fact that PBB is a dominant party in GPS.
He had also recommended that those unhappy with PBB leave the coalition and also, Masing in particular, not to tell PBB what to do.
For the record, PBB with 46 out of 82 state seats could rule Sarawak on its own leaving its partners PRS, Sarawak United People’s Party ( SUPP) and Progressive Democratic Party ( PDP) playing second fiddle in the former Sarawak BN or GPS if ever it emerges formally.
In his effort to diffuse the tension among components, Abang Johari, who is GPS chairman, told the press on Monday that GPS would consider Masing’s suggestion of the single multiracial concept for GPS.