Abang Johari denies meeting Zahid over GPS’ formation
KUCHING: The purported meeting between former deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg on the formation of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) never happened.
Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) information chief Datuk Idris Buang said the decision by the four Sarawak component parties to leave Barisan Nasional (BN) and form GPS was mutual and done in the best interest of the state and her people, and not after an alleged meeting with Ahmad Zahid or anyone else.
“As one of the authorised spokesmen on behalf of our party president, I hereby wish to state that Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg and PBB categorically deny the occurrence of any such meeting or discussion.
“There was no such meeting. There was no such discussion,” said the Muara Tuang assemblyman in a statement here yesterday.
Idris was referring to a video circulating on social media which purportedly depicts Ahmad Zahid, who is one of several contesting the post of Umno president, giving a speech to an unidentified audience.
In that footage, the former DPM mentions about having had a meeting and discussion with Abang Johari, who is PBB president, regarding the latter’s intention to leave BN and form GPS.
Ahmad Zahidi can be heard saying in the video that he had given his views and agreed to the formation of GPS in order to win the next Sarawak election, and that GPS would continue to work together with BN and even rejoin the former ruling coalition if BN is able to form the federal government again.
Idris stressed that GPS is independent in every aspect of its existence and disposition, and does not have any relationship with peninsula-based political parties.
He added that leaving BN was a “natural thing to do” in order to be neutral to all the political firestorms now happening across the South China Sea.
“Our party president had clearly announced that the intention of leaving BN and forming GPS is a mutual deliberate act done purely for one reason, which is for GPS to be the only group of credible and capable Sarawak-based coalition that can effectively fight for Sarawak’s rights,” added Idris.
“It is well comprehended that the interests of Sarawak and its people, including its constitutional right and those as stipulated in the Malaysia Agreement of 1963, cannot be undermined or prejudiced in any way even by being merely perceived as having a relationship with any Semenanjung-based parties.
“Therefore GPS, being a group of purely Sarawak-based parties who presently make up the Sarawak government, will be free from any outside or extraneous interference whether by former allies or foes, in any of its affairs and decisions.
According to Idris, GPS is completely ‘divorced’ from Barisan Nasional and that neither speculation nor conjecture could change that fact.
He said the newly-formed coalition is “steadfastly focused and uncompromising” in its effort to take back Sarawak’s rights and that as far as GPS was concerned, issues that significantly affected the BN’s performance in the general election – 1MDB, East Coast Rail Link (ECRL), Chinese investments and others – had nothing to do with Sarawak.
“Sarawak-based (component) members, under the leadership of Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari, have immaculate and exemplary track records as a responsible government, and we continue to do well in dedicatedly serving our people.
“Our paramount and most important priority now is to make sure Sarawakians of all background will continue to be served and their basic needs, particularly those in the rural areas, are addressed in the best way.”