BY NEVILLE TIMOTHY SANDERS
KUCHING: It is a matter of principle for Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) in being firm about contesting all 31 parliamentary seats in the forthcoming general election.
Political observer Datuk Peter Minos said it entailed GPS not wishing or wanting any peninsula-based party to contest in state elections or general elections in the state.
Additionally it is in accordance with the clear wishes of the people of Sarawak, he said.
“If GPS goes against this principle, its effect will be against the political aspiration of Sarawakians and against the idea of ‘Sarawak First’.
“So, very sorry to Bersatu and Umno, even though at the federal government GPS is very ‘friendly’ to them,” he said.
“And this is nothing personal. It has nothing to do with not liking Umno and Bersatu, nothing to do with being unfriendly or naughty or arrogant.
“It is, for GPS, a matter of principle. A matter of respecting what Sarawak wants and aspires based on solid grounds and political logic,” he said.
Minos said nothing could be done if Bersatu or Umno does not like GPS’s stand on the matter.
“No way for GPS to shoot its own feet. GPS must survive and progress. Stick strictly to what Sarawakians expect of it. Nothing less, nothing more,” he said.
