KUCHING: The setting up of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) was a momentous and historical moment in Sarawak’s political landscape.
Political commentator Datuk Peter Minos pointed out that before GPS was established, Sarawak literally had neither voice nor say because it was controlled by the rules and whips of Barisan Nasional (BN).
“Before GPS, Sarawak and Sarawakians suffered in silence. We could not speak out on many vital things such as the powers and rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) that Malaya usurped since 1963.
“This includes on demanding that rich Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS) must give more to Sarawak for development, on the federal government to allocate more funds for many things and matters vital to Sarawak.
“Only with GPS that Sarawak can ever hope to change Malaya’s attitudes and ways to Sarawak for the better,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Minos stated that before GPS, Sarawak had to ‘ikut saja’ (follow blindly) and it had been for far too long.
He noted that PETRONAS has become very rich and powerful while giving billions upon billions yearly to the federal government mainly for development in Malaya while Sarawak got very little.
“To think that much of PETRONAS wealth came from oil and gas resources of Sarawak and Sabah, it is very sad and regrettable.
“We wanted to have more funds from the federal government to do many things in Sarawak particularly to get rid of rural poverty and economic backwardness. However, those in Kuala Lumpur did not quite listen or be bothered,” he said.
He said had it not been for GPS, Sarawak would have been left behind and could never catch up with Malaya in all aspects.
“GPS was almost God sent – it is Sarawak’s voice, Sarawak’s guardian and protector apart from being the development arm. GPS is indeed everything for Sarawak.
“We cannot help but salute and thank all those Sarawakian leaders who set up GPS. Our Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg was the initiator of GPS, he was instrumental behind it all.
“For that, all of us in Sarawak are eternally grateful,” he added.
