[UPDATED] GPS agrees to pact with PN, BN, GRS to form next govt: Abang Jo

KUCHING – Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) will work together with Perikatan Nasional (PN), Barisan Nasional (BN) and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) to form the next federal government with Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as the state coalition’s preferred prime minister.

Announcing the decision today, GPS chief, Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg, said the coalition wanted a federal government that will be strong and stable to face the coming economic challenges – while at the same time protecting the people’s well-being, including their religious freedom.

The new government made up of the four coalitions should also uphold the federal constitution, Sarawak’s state constitution, as well as the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) Report on the forming of the Federation of Malaysia, he also said in a statement issued today.

Abang Johari, who is Sarawak premier, said that these documents protected the right to freedom of religion and the diversity of cultures in the state.

“Additionally, the coalition must also uphold Sarawak’s autonomy in terms of developing the state’s education and healthcare systems, and any other matters in the interest of the state,” he said.

GPS which won 22 seats in the recent 15th general election (GE15) has said previously that it would work with GRS which won six seats, to form a Borneo block that would support coalitions from the peninsular in forming a new government.

GE15 results show that no coalition has enough seats to form a new government by itself, and the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong has instructed coalition and party heads to submit their political composition, along with the name of a prime minister candidate and majority support, to the Dewan Rakyat Speaker for the monarch’s consideration. 

Coalitions have until 2pm tomorrow to do this. 

Abang Johari’s statement was issued shortly before PN chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said he was confident he had the necessary support to be appointed the next prime minister.

Muhyiddin said he had met with the heads of GPS and GRS and has their support, as well as the support of “several other MPs who have given their commitment”

BN leadership has yet to issue any statement  on which coalitions it will cooperate with. – The Vibes, November 20, 2022