MIRI – Sarawak Perikatan Nasional has been established as an official entity, despite the fact that it already has its member Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) as the state’s ruling coalition.
In a social media post, state PN chairman Jaziri Suffian declared the federal-level pact as an official entity in Sarawak, with office-bearers from Parti Bersatu Sarawak and PAS.
“Sarawak PN has been set up as part of our efforts to support the state government in the development of Sarawak. We, Sarawak PN, have the ‘Vision for Joint Progress 2030’, which will be our theme for PN’s struggle for Sarawak.”
He said the state PN has set up a committee to handle elections, as well as panels on social and economic development.
GPS has said other PN parties, like Bersatu, PAS and Umno, will not be given seats to contest in the next state election, as it plans on fielding its candidates in all 82 state constituencies.
The state-based coalition comprises Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Sarawak United Peoples’ Party, Parti Rakyat Sarawak and Progressive Democratic Party.
PBB vice-president Datuk Abdul Karim Hamzah told a press conference at his Kuching office yesterday that “there are no seats for PN”.
“GPS and PN are friends, and we work as partners at the national level. However, at the state level, GPS has its own candidates for the 12th state election. There will be no seats for PN parties to contest in Sarawak.
“PN are Malaya-based parties. In Sarawak, GPS knows the state better.”
He said GPS has identified potential candidates for the state polls, and urged PN parties not to lobby for seats in Sarawak.
He stressed that the peninsula-centric pact must first be able to understand Sarawak’s domestic situation.
Any lobbying by PN components to contest in Sarawak will only cause a split in the relationship between GPS and PN, he added.
Sarawak is expected to call the state polls soon, even as early as November.
GPS controls 68 of Sarawak’s 82 state seats. – The Vibes, September 22, 2021
