KUCHING: All four component parties of the Sarawak Barisan Nasional (BN) announced their decision to leave the coalition in favour of forming a new coalition, called Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).
The parties are Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS), Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) and Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP).
Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, who is also Sarawak BN chairman and PBB president, in a statement, said the decision is timely and an appropriate move forward for the betterment of the state in line with aspirations of the people of Sarawak
“PBB, SUPP, PRS and PDP have made a unanimous decision to leave BN and to form a new coalition of Sarawak-based parties known as Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).
“The decision was made after much deliberation, reflection and due consideration, taking into account the country’s current political developments post the 14th General Election.
“GPS will cooperate and collaborate with the Federal Government in the national interest and for the state’s rights and interests based on the Federal Constitution and the Federal of Malaysia.
Its main focus, he says, is to protect the way of life of the multicultural people Sarawak and their values as well as to safeguards Sarawak’s interests and rights based on Malaysia Agreement 1963.
“GPS believes that the formation of the new coalition is the most pragmatic decision to bring Sarawak and its people into a new era,” he said.
Abang Johari was speaking at a press conference after chairing a meeting of the Sarawak BN at the PBB headquarters in Jalan Bako, Petra Jaya.