KUCHING: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) must put conditions first before accepting any offer from whichever party that rules the government later on, advised Professor Datuk Mohd Fadzil Abdul Rahman.
“GPS can put its price and conditions in order for the next ruling party to get GPS’ support for the majority seat,” added the Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) political analyst.
“Of course, it does not mean that GPS is going to be the kingmaker because we have Sabah and whatnot, but what it (the new ruling party) simply needs is the majority.”
Mohd Fadzil further clarified that, however, to some extent, Sarawak could also be a kingmaker in any potential new government later on.
“It is very likely it might need the support from GPS but it is up to GPS to decide whether to join or not to join with the conditions and whatnot.
“The state leaders need to analyse and decide whether it benefits them to join. However, I personally think that GPS should consider joining because it will actually help the Sarawak government to execute whatever plans that it has if it is part of the Federal Cabinet.
“This is because GPS can actually work with any party that it wants as long as its aspirations are accepted by the new ruling government. Hence, it can always opt to join the ruling party government,” he explained.
Asked whether the resignation of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as prime minister would affect GPS, Mohd Fadzil stated that GPS did not lose anything as it was not affiliated with the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government.
“GPS only supported PN so that it could form the government at that time but it never offered itself as a component party nor is it affiliated to any Peninsular based party,” he explained.
He added that through the affiliate, the state government was given the privilege to be in the Federal Cabinet.
“So now, the only setback is that there will be no representative from the state government in the Federal Cabinet after this to directly bring the Sarawak issues to the Cabinet,” he pointed out.
Commenting on Muhyiddin’s tenure as the shortest serving prime minister, Mohd Fadzil said, “He has to accept the fact his appointment was not through the ballot box instead by default.
“So, in that capacity, anything can happen such as what he and his government are facing now.
“Muhyiddin instead should be thankful that he had been given the opportunity to head the government despite all the shortcomings.
“As a result of his resignation, we can foresee the intensity of power struggle from various interested parties, particularly from those who have been eyeing the opportunity all this while.
“This power struggle might cause an unconducive situation to the rakyat and may get out of control if not handled wisely.
“This will also affect our main focus now, especially in combating the pandemic which requires serious attention and efforts from all including the government,” he explained.
Asked who would be the next Prime Minister, Mohd Fadzil said that the King was likely to appoint Gua Musang MP Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah.
“I think it is because he is one of those senior wakil rakyat. Number two, he is actually neither here nor there in the sense that he is not supporting Muhyiddin nor supporting his own president based on his statement.
“In other words, he is seen as being quite independent. He is a United Malays National Organisation (Umno) member, but he doesn’t really show his support to any of these people.
“That is why the King might want to find someone who is not that obvious in wanting the prime minister post,” he added.
Mohd Fadzil added he believed in the wisdom of the King.
“He (the King) surely wants to see stability in this country. Hence, I foresee that in order to avoid unnecessary frictions or confrontation from the rakyat as well as from leaders, he has no option than to choose Razaleigh.
“He has to stabilise the country because in times like this, the focus should be more on fighting the Covid-19.”
