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MIRI – The Health Ministry has banned a Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) high-level gathering scheduled for this weekend in Kuching to boost its election machinery for the state election.
Showing that it means business even towards a ruling coalition, the ministry had rejected the GPS application to hold their pow-wow at the Borneo Convention Centre.
GPS, made up of Parti Pesaka Bumiputra Bersatu (PBB), Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP), Parti Rakyat Sarawak and Progressive Democratic Party have no choice but to obey.
SUPP information chief Adam Yii told The Vibes that the coalition respects the ministry’s decision.
“It was supposed to be a gathering to boost our morale ahead of the big event that is coming (12th state elections). The ministry decided otherwise, and we all respect the decision,” said the Miri mayor and SUPP Pujut branch chief.
Similarly, PBB vice-president Abdul Karim Hamzah said that the group will obey the instructions.
He had told reporters in Kuching that the ministry’s concern was over the prevailing Covid-19 situation in the state.
The convention was also supposed to be the second gathering of all the four component parties’ delegates. The last one took place more than two years ago, before the Covid-19 pandemic struck.
GPS is preparing for state elections and have shown it wants the polls now. There is, however, a localised health emergency covering the state that was imposed by the Agong which will expire in February next year.
However, the ruling coalition is apparently eager to have it lifted now to pave the way for the state assembly dissolution, enabling the polls to proceed.
The Agong has yet to agree to cutting short the emergency.
GPS controls 68 out of the 82 state constituencies.
Opposition leaders in Sarawak have accused GPS of wanting a state election before year-end to avoid the Undi18 voters and the automatic voter registration, which will trigger next year.
However, Chief minister and GPS chairman Datuk Abang Johari Openg has denied being afraid of these new voters. – The Vibes, November 3, 2021
