GPS ‘completely divorced from Barisan’

Coalition to chart course independently

KUCHING: The new Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) coalition is “completely divorced” from Barisan Nasional and will move forward on an independent front, according to a leader from one of its component parties.

Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) information chief Datuk Idris Buang said GPS was formed as “the only group” of Sarawakbased parties which could fight effectively for the state’s rights.

“The interests of Sarawak and its people, including its constitutional rights and those stipulated in the Malaysia Agreement 1963, cannot be undermined or prejudiced in any way, even by merely being perceived as having a relationship with any peninsula-based parties.

“Therefore GPS, being a group of purely Sarawak-based parties which presently make up the state government, will be free from any outside interference, whether former allies or foes, in its affairs and decisions.

“It is completely divorced from Barisan Nasional. It is self-standing and master of its own destiny,” he said in a statement yesterday.

GPS was formed when PBB, Sarawak United People’s Party, Parti Rakyat Sarawak and Progressive Democratic Party announced on June 12 that they were quitting Barisan to form an independent state-based coalition.

Idris also denied that PBB president and Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg met Barisan acting chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to discuss leaving Barisan and forming GPS.

“Our president and our party categorically deny the occurrence of any such meeting or discussion.

“There was no such meeting. There was no such discussion,” he said, referring to a viral

It is self-standing and master of its own destiny. Datuk Idris Buang

video clip which showed Dr Ahmad Zahid speaking to an unidentified audience about meeting Abang Johari on the latter’s intention to quit Barisan and form GPS.

In the video, Dr Ahmad Zahid said Abang Johari and other GPS party leaders had given their “assurance” that they would return to Barisan to help form the next Federal Government should they win enough seats in the next general election.

Idris said the issues that affected Barisan’s performance in GE14, such as 1MDB and China investments, had nothing to do with Sarawak.

Sarawak-based parties have an “immaculate and exemplary” track record as the state government and would continue to serve the people, he said.

“Our most important priority now is to make sure Sarawakians of all backgrounds will continue to be served and their basic needs, particularly those in the rural areas, are addressed in the best way.

“So, leaving our former pact is therefore a natural thing for us to do in order to be neutral to all the political firestorms that are now happening across the South China Sea.

“We just concentrate on ensuring that the wellbeing of Sarawak and its people are looked after and improved to a much greater level,” he said.