MIRI – Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) is ready to throw its support behind Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob as prime minister.
Sources in a component party told The Vibes that the state ruling coalition, with 18 MPs, will not back opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for the top job.
Sarawak has a total of 31 parliamentary seats.
“All this while, GPS has made known its stance that it is friendly to the Perikatan Nasional coalition.
“Ismail Sabri, who is from Umno, was part of the PN government, so GPS will support him as the candidate for the PM post.
“Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg is not going to rock the boat, and so, GPS will not support Anwar.”
Even though no one person or party has the majority in Parliament to form the next government, it looks like PN still has an advantage, said a source.
Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) information chief Adam Yii this week told The Vibes that GPS will maintain the status quo of being PN-friendly.
The Miri mayor said the pact has a federal link with PN.
SUPP is part of GPS, with the other components being Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu, Parti Rakyat Sarawak and Progressive Democratic Party.
Yii said GPS had maintained its backing of PN and Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin before his resignation as prime minister on Monday.
Muhyiddin is now caretaker prime minister. – The Vibes, August 18, 2021
