KUCHING: Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing is confident that Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) will retain its position as the ruling state government for the next five years.
“GPS is very confident it will be the next state government in the next five years,” said Masing.
He said this when fielding questions from reporters after officiating the International Engineering Centre (IntEC) cum Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (Sarawak branch) new office opening ceremony at The Isthmus here on Monday (Nov 2).
Asked if PRS was planning to add more seats to its 11 existing seats, Masing, who is also PRS president said: “I wish I could but the rules apply.”
“I have to abide by the chief minister’s and GPS’ ways of doing things,” he added.
Masing asserted that the state election must be held despite the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak in the state.
He added that the onus was on the Election Commission (EC) to ensure that it was safe to hold an election.
“With or without Covid-19, the show must go on. Because after five years, the DUN (State Legislative Assembly) will automatically dissolve.
“Now, it is the responsibility of EC to make sure that it is safe for us to hold an election,” he said.
Masing pointed out that it was possible to have a safe election during the pandemic as shown by Singapore, South Korea, New Zealand, and soon, the United States of America.
“It can be done provided that everyone strictly adheres to the standard operating procedures,” he clarified, adding that campaigning through the social medias might be the new norm throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.
Asked about the date for the state election, Masing said it was Abang Johari’s prerogative to decide.
