BY JACINTHA JOLENE & MARGARET RINGGIT
MIRI: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) chairman Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said he will discuss with his fellow leaders whether or not to offer assistance during the upcoming six state elections in Peninsular Malaysia.
“I will discuss with the GPS leaders first,” he said briefly in response to whether GPS will be involved in the election campaigns after officiating at the Tadika SeDidik Penan in Apoh/Tutoh near Kampung Long Leng here, today (July 4).
On Sunday, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had expressed his hope that the GPS leaders will assist Barisan Nasional (BN); as part of the unity government to campaign in the state elections, which will be held in Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu, Penang, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan in the coming weeks.
Zahid, who is also the BN chairman, has invited GPS leaders, including Abang Johari to help in the election campaigns of its federal coalition partners at the coming elections.
The UMNO president praised Abang Johari for preserving political stability in Sarawak, adding that the BN leaders should learn from him.
His request comes a week after GPS Parliamentary chief whip Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said that the Sarawak ruling coalition would remain neutral and not take part in election campaigns in other states.
Fadillah said that there was a directive that prohibits GPS members from being involved in elections held outside Sarawak; where GPS members who are ministers and deputy ministers may visit those states holding elections but their involvement would be limited to ministry-related activities and would only explain government policies.
