Approval opens Sarawak’s new political chapter — Hazland

KUCHING: The approval of Gabungan Parti Sarawak’s (GPS) registration as announced by Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin in the Dewan Rakyat recently has brought relief to Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Supreme Council member Dr Hazland Abang Hipni.

Expressing a feeling of happiness that after almost five months of waiting GPS was finally registered by the Registrar of Societies (RoS), the Demak Laut assemblyman said the approval opens a new chapter in Sarawak’s political landscape.

“The Home Ministry’s decision has opened a new chapter to Sarawak politics after the 14th general election (GE14).

“GPS, comprising PBB, Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP), allows Sarawak’s political landscape to change.

“This decision also allows GPS to reinstate the rights of the people and the state of Sarawak that had been intentionally or inadvertently eroded in the context of the Malaysian Constitution,” he said.

Dr Hazland was asked to comment on the approval of GPS’ registration yesterday.

“Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg had earlier said that the existence of GPS was aimed at securing Sarawak’s rights that had been eroded whether intentionally or not since 55 years ago.

“For that, we will ensure that Sarawak has the right to develop the state in accordance with the interests and needs of its people.

“We also want Sarawak’s rights to be restored to enable Sarawak to develop together with the states in Peninsular Malaysia.

“This move is important to enable all Sarawak’s rights and interests such as over oil and gas as well as autonomous power and the 1958 Oil Mining Ordinance (OMO) to be restored and maintained,” he added.

For the first time in the history of Sarawak since the establishment of Malaysia 55 years ago, he said the state government is now in a strong position to exercise its political power without any intervention from Peninsular Malaysia as GPS does not have a coalition with parties from Peninsular Malaysia.

“Sarawak’s new political landscape this time allows Sarawak to move forward in the face of new challenges after the GE14.

“The original purpose of GPS’ establishment takes into account the interests of the people of Sarawak without taking any race exclusively.

“This is because only Sarawakians and Sarawak parties are aware of Sarawak’s needs,” he said.