GPS needs to move faster to revamp, sell its own brand — Minos

KUCHING: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) needs to move faster as there are still very much left to be done especially in getting rid of the old Barisan Nasional (BN) brand and revamping itself into a refreshed brand to stay relevant.

Political observer Datuk Peter Minos in a press statement yesterday said getting out of BN, which has been rejected by the people, was not difficult but the harder task would be to win Sarawakians’ hearts who had been strongly attached to the ‘white scale’ (dacing) logo for all this time.

“Will it be easy to market and sell GPS to the people of Sarawak? Can PBB, SUPP, PRS and PDP that created GPS get the new political alliance to be fully accepted by Sarawak voters by the next state election in 2021? These are the questions many are asking,” he said.

GPS, Minos emphasised, must think carefully and put more thoughts into structuring the new organisation, a task which is not easy but must be done as soon as possible to reach out to the people.

“How to get GPS and its cause and objectives be fully accepted by Sarawakians, its symbols and designs implanted in the minds of Sarawakians and erase the memories of BN, are some of the questions that need to be looked into,” he said.

“Delay in getting GPS legally registered and in launching and promoting the GPS concept will negatively affect the whole thing. Many people also think that these important matters needed to be done fast,” he added.

Minos also suggested that GPS be officially launched by the four Sarawak parties’ leaders who should simultaneously declare their pledge to vigorously and steadfastly pursue the full return of Sarawak rights enshrined under Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) from PH-led federal government.

“If they can get the issue of Sarawak rights on oil and gas resources settled in our favour by July 1 as stated previously, this will be a great move and way to introduce GPS to Sarawakians,” he said.

“Other important issues that must be addressed include solving Native Customary Rights (NCR) land matters, provision of basic facilities and utilities to the poor and struggling rural folk, creating jobs and incomes, businesses opportunities for locals, bringing the focus on English back into the education system, improving education and so forth,” he added.

This way, Minos believed GPS could get a good start and make an impact on the people.

Sarawakians by and large, he observed, understood the move by the Sarawak parties in severing ties with BN which many felt should have been done earlier right after the 14th General Election (GE14) as there was no point in hanging on for another day with BN especially Umno following the disclosure of alleged misdeeds, abuse of power and other wrongdoings.

“There were feelings of disgust and repulsiveness of BN among Malaysians and that included Sarawakians. Confidence and respect for BN were dissipated and gone.

Thus running away from BN by any right-thinking Malaysian was expected and even awaited,” he said.

The Sarawak parties, Minos added, did the right thing in leaving BN as they would be seen as foolish if they still hang on to a group that the majority has clearly rejected.

“GPS must succeed for the sake of Sarawak and its people,” Minos said.