Dr Hazland feels GPS leaders should be more approachable

KUCHING: Leaders of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) should by now change their approach by adopting less protocol when meeting with the people.

Demak Laut assemblyman Dr Hazland Abang Hipni said less protocol not only facilitates closer leader-people relationship but also ensures GPS’s relevance with the grassroots.

“It is now time for us to leave behind whatever old characteristics associated during our time with Barisan Nasional ( BN), but now strive to be together with the people to fight for Sarawak’s rights and work together with them to develop our beloved state of Sarawak,” he said yesterday.

Dr Hazland, who is also Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu ( PBB) supreme council member, was commenting on the launch of GPS’ logo by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg on Wednesday.

He said following the logo launch, many Sarawakians had expressed their support to GPS especially through social media.

“We must now repay their support. We must now be more determined to develop Sarawak. It is now time for the people to accept the new reality of Sarawak’s politics which happened since June 12, 2018 (when the ruling parties left BN).

“We have waited six months for GPS to be a registered entity. I am sure Sarawakians are now looking forward to the state-level grand launch of GPS scheduled on January 19,” he said.

He added that GPS is made up entirely of Sarawakians in Sarawak-based parties, who will work together in the spirit of ‘Sarawak First’.

“With our motto ‘Sarawak First’, we want Sarawakians to be together in one voice to strive and reclaim our rights that had been eroded within the last 55 years.”

GPS currently comprises the four ruling parties which had quit the Barisan Nasional. They are PBB, Parti Rakyat Sarawak ( PRS), Sarawak United People’s Party ( SUPP) and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP).

The formation of GPS was announced on June 12 by Abang Johari after chairing a meeting with leaders of PBB, SUPP, PRS and PDP after much deliberations on the next move to be taken following the May 9 general election which saw Pakatan Harapan (PH) forming the new federal government.

After several months of waiting, GPS became a legal entity after its registration certificate was issued by the Home Ministry on Nov 22, three days after Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced the approval of its registration.

GPS currently controls 72 of the 81 state seats, and also holds 19 parliamentary seats in total.