Non-S’wak political parties should stay out of state polls

KUCHING: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) has no intention to contest in elections outside the state, and non-Sarawakbased political parties should in return stay out of the state polls, said Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

Abdul Karim, who is Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu vicepresident, said parties such as Umno, Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS), Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), Democratic Action Party (DAP) and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) should focus on other states and not look to contest in the Sarawak.

“The interest of GPS is only confined within the boundary of Sarawak. We have no intention to contest in Sabah as well as Peninsula Malaysia, as we want to only take care of our state.

“If can, other political parties that are not originated from Sarawak, whether they are from the ruling coalition or the opposition, there is no need to contest in our state.

“Let the Sarawak-based political parties look after the state,” he told a press conference here yesterday.

Abdul Karim, who earlier officiated at the ‘Prihatin Youth Programme 2021’ programme at his office in Petra Jaya, was asked to comment on a viral video showing the shirts and flags of political parties being printed, seemingly in preparation for an election.

He nevertheless reminded that no elections are to be held during the current Emergency until the order is lifted by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, as stated in Section 13 of the Emergency (Essential Powers) Ordinance 2021.

At the same time, Abdul Karim said Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin would eventually have to seek a fresh mandate from the people due to the political uncertainty faced by the federal government.