BETONG: Accusation that Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) had helped in forming a back-door Perikatan Nasional (PN) government has been described as “mischievous”.
“When the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government collapsed, there was no ‘rumah’ (house) at all.
“So how can people accuse us of forming a ‘pintu belakang‘ (back door) government when there was no ‘rumah’ (house) left standing, no ‘pintu’ (door) to enter?” said Betong MP Datuk Robert Lawson Chuat.
He said Democractic Action Party (DAP) politicians, who had been accusing GPS, were obviously upset they were no longer in the government.
“They had conveniently forgotten that GPS was not in the PH government then,” he said.
Chuat added that the collapse of PH was due to internal struggles for power and positions.
Besides that, he also highlighted that those joining GPS would not lose their original party membership as GPS was a coalition of four political parties in the state, namely Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS), Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP).
According to Chuat, he said there was confusion among some who joined the party.
“They think that by joining GPS, they are only joining PBB which is the biggest and strongest component,” he said during a GPS roadshow for the Bukit Saban constituency at Rh Entrie Tabakang in Anyut near here yesterday.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas launched the roadshow, which was part of the Bukit Saban PBB’s preparation for the coming state election.
“GPS is only the name of the coalition but its hallmark is in power sharing by PBB, PRS, SUPP and PDP.
“It (GPS) is the defender of the state rights as enshrined in the MA63 and its struggles are for all Sarawakians by Sarawakians themselves,” he added.
Chuat also said GPS had done exceptionally well since it started ruling the state two years ago.
“We are able to implement our own development programmes successfully and we have been able to continue on with approved projects for the state which were cancelled by the former Pakatan Harapan (PH) government.
“Our Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has shown his wisdom in raising extra funds to finance them and the overall state development programmes,” he said.
On the roadshow, Chuat pointed out that it had enabled the grassroot leaders to voice out their problems, expectations, and most importantly, express their full support to Bukit Saban incumbent Uggah to be renominated for the seat.
He also presented cheques for grants totalling RM59,000 to various women bureaus in Paku Ulu, Paku Tengah and Anyut in the area.
