KUCHING – Gabungan Parti Sarawak is backing Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin despite Umno’s move to withdraw support days ago.
In a brief press conference today, Sarawak’s ruling coalition reiterated support for the Perikatan Nasional federal administration.
GPS, led by Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Abang Johari Openg, said the support is based on consensus and the current political situation in Putrajaya.
“This is a collective decision after our discussions. This is not the time for politicking as it will undermine the stability of the country.
“This is the time for all Malaysians to consolidate and unite and bring the country out of the pandemic crisis.”
Earlier, the GPS supreme council held a meeting at the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu headquarters chaired by Abang Johari at 2.30pm today.
In the early hours of July 8, Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi pulled his party’s support for Perikatan Nasional and Muhyiddin, saying there will be no compromise on the matter.
The party called on Muhyiddin to step down honourably and make way for a new prime minister, with focus being placed on putting Malaysia back on track amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Zahid said the new prime minister must call a general election after the country attains herd immunity, so as to have a stable government in place.
“The new prime minister should focus on the welfare of the people throughout the pandemic, address Covid-19 using an inclusive approach, and ensure the immunisation process is expedited.
“Upon attaining herd immunity, the new prime minister must immediately advise the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in order to return the mandate to the people, (and for) the 15th general election to be held.”
This is important to allow the country to have a truly stable government, and to secure the mandate of the rakyat in line with the Agong’s decree, he said.
He reiterated the party’s stance to not support opposition chief Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as prime minister and an administration led by DAP-Pakatan Harapan.
He also ran a victory lap, crediting the convening of Parliament at the end of this month to the 14-day ultimatum issued by Umno’s political bureau to Muhyiddin.
At the end of his 12.50am broadcast, Zahid did not mention if newly minted Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Senior Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein are to reject their promotions, or if Umno MPs have to relinquish their posts in government agencies and government-linked companies. – The Vibes, July 10, 2021
