KUCHING: It has been explained repeatedly by leaders of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) that their ruling coalition is supportive of Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin, but is not part of Perikatan Nasional (PN); at least not in the way that Bersatu, Umno or PAS are.
But if an MP from GPS is appointed to a post in the federal government, would that mean that GPS is part of PN?
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri James Jemut Masing responded by saying being a member of PN and participating in its administration are different things.
“GPS is on its own but any of its lawmakers might be asked or invited to be a minister in the PN government. It’s like when someone saves a person from a fire and later the family rewards the saviour.
“It doesn’t mean that the saviour becomes a member of the family. It means that the grateful family reciprocates the man’s good deed,” Masing explained.
When asked about this, Local Government and Housing Assistant Minister Datuk Penguang Manggil said the fact remained that GPS never signed any pact or agreement with Perikatan Nasional and hence was not tied to it.
But if a GPS MP becomes a federal minister, he can use his position for the benefit of Sarawak as he would be in a good lobbying position.
“This arrangement could be to our advantage,” he said, adding that it was the prerogative of the prime minister to appoint members of his cabinet from any party.
As for PKR Mas Gading deputy chief, Francis Teron, he compared the situation to when Abdul Taib Mahmud (when he was chief minister and a Pehin Sri) appointed Larry Sng as an assistant minister although his party, Sarawak Workers’ Party (SWP), was not a component party of Barisan Nasional then.
GPS’ situation now is similar to that of the United People’s Party (UPP), now known as Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PBS). It was not in the Barisan Nasional and after than not a GPS component, but its president Datuk Sri Wong Soon Koh was appointed as a full minister in the state Cabinet while his deputy Datuk Dr Jerip Susil was an assistant minister.
On PKR members Baru Bian, Billy Biju and Willie Mongin who have left Pakatan Harapan for no-man’s land, Teron said they would be judged by their constituents in the state election.
On another matter, Teron said Sarawakians need not worry about or fear the Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) as the Malaya-based party was only successful in economically backward states like Kelantan and Terengganu whose people are mostly more concerned about spiritual matters than economic development.
“Sarawak is a totally different ball game. PAS cannot get widespread acceptance here due to the small Muslim population while the rest of the people are very protective of the respective religions and ethnic cultures,” said Teron.
He said even in Malaya the majority of the states have repeatedly rejected the form of government promoted by PAS.
“I believe Sarawakians in general are more inclined towards secular or concrete forms of development such as bridges, roads, utilities and provision of various types of welfare aid.
