[UPDATED] East M’sia parties won’t ‘rock boat’, says Nanta on fed govt

KOTA KINABALU – East Malaysia political leaders will not be the ones to rock the boat of the federal government, said a Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) leader today.

GPS secretary-general Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi said the Borneo bloc has always ensured the political stability of the federal government.

He said the eastern political sphere, which comprises ruling coalitions GPS and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), were always of the same view and that involves playing a pivotal role in maintaining political stability of the federal government.

“Currently, our nation enjoys a peaceful environment without any disruptions. With elections in six states concluded, it is imperative for all of us to focus our efforts on governing our respective states.

“GPS and GRS are of the same view. We are not the ones who will rock the boat, but are here to ensure the political stability of the country,” he told reporters during his inspection of the Bongawan-Papar road upgrading works here.

Nanta urged all the parties including political outfits that had contested against each other in the recent elections in six peninsula states to now to start focusing on administering their respective states.

He said the groups should allow the federal unity government to continue the work involving Malaysia’s economic recovery. 

There has been pressure of late on Sabah and Sarawak leaders to assert the two states’ standings following increasingly strident calls for deeper Islamisation by some hardline peninsula-based quarters.

Sarawak Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah recently rubbished a proposal by a coalition of NGOs – Gerakan Pembela Ummah – for the establishment of Malay-Muslim-only state governments, describing it as a “crazy idea”.

“To me, that is a crazy idea as Malaysia is a multiethnic and multireligious country,” he said.

“Anybody can come up with opinions as we are a democratic country, even when (such opinions) are not ideal for the country.”

Twelve NGOs and civil societies from Sabah and Sarawak had expressed concern over the said proposal.

The group’s spokesman, Peter John Jaban, said the proposal “seems divorced from political reality and probably won’t happen”.

He added that racial and religion-based politics will throw the country’s economy out the window.

This idea to establish a government based on one race and religion was also criticised as profoundly misguided by Upko Youth chief Felix Saang.

He said it would result in complications and jeopardise the unity cultivated among Malaysians all these years.

He said Malaysia has practised the democratic system since its establishment in 1963, and that it is illogical for only one race to lead the country. – The Vibes, August 20, 2023