SELANGAU – Barisan Nasional (BN) is confident of forming a stable government after the 15th general election (GE15) with the cooperation of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), said caretaker prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
He said even though GPS, comprising Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu, Sarawak United Peoples’ Party, Parti Rakyat Sarawak and Parti Demokratik Progresif was not with BN, the two coalitions have a long relationship history.
“We understand one another, we understand the aspirations of Sarawakians. We are more understanding of the relationship, despite our differences now, we are still together,” he said in a media conference after officiating the Selangau section of the Sarawak Pan Borneo Highway here today.
Ismail Sabri said GPS MPs had shown they were prepared to be with BN MPs in the opposition after GE14 and joined the government formed by BN in 2020.
“When I was the opposition head, GPS was with us. They did not join PH then. This means we are always together. When we form the government, GPS also joined us. I am sure the relationship will continue,” he said.
Elaborating on his previous statement regarding confidence that BN will win GE15, Ismail Sabri said that even if the victory is based on a simple majority in Parliament, the government will remain stable due to the enforcement of the anti-party hopping law.
“It is different now compared with before. In the past, the simple majority was very dangerous because there was still the possibility of party-hopping. Now with the anti-party hopping law, after winning, no one can jump party. If someone hops (to another party), he has to vacate his seat and contest again,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ismail Sabri said that Budget 2023, which was tabled on October 7, is likely to be re-tabled with improvements if BN is given the mandate to lead the government after GE15.
He said that most of BN’s manifesto for GE15 revolved around the budget.
“There is also a possibility that (Budget 2023) will be improved. We will see after the GE. The important thing is that we have to win first,” he said.
Ismail Sabri, in his speech, assured that Sarawak will remain his priority as long as he leads the government after GE15.
He said the priority was by taking into account the allocations channelled to the state, which still needed a lot of help in terms of allocations for its development.
“In terms of commitment to look after Sarawak, there is no comparison against the Barisan Nasional government. We are the ones who look after the interests of Sarawak,” he said.
According to him, the cabinet that he led before GE15 had decided to resume the federal projects which were previously cancelled by the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government. He cited as an example the Selangau section under Phase 2 of the Sarawak Pan Borneo Highway project.
He said that other major development projects which were cancelled by PH but resumed by his government are the Trans-Borneo Highway, which passes through Brunei, and the Sabah-Sarawak Link Road project, which bypasses Brunei.
Ismail Sabri said that assistance for Sarawak to improve the infrastructure of dilapidated schools and rural clinics in the state will also continue – in addition to setting a target for the entire state to have internet access within two years.
To enable continued planning, Ismail Sabri hopes that the people of Sarawak will be able to give their full support by ensuring that they make wise choices in GE15.
“The elected government must be the one responsible... not the one that cancels the project. Don’t make the wrong choice because we are the ones who end up suffering. Make the right decision in GE15 to form a government which can help Sarawak,” he said.
Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg, caretaker works minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, caretaker communications and multimedia minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa, and several Sarawak cabinet ministers were also present at the event.
The Election Commission has set tomorrow (November 15) for early voting, and November 19 as polling day. – Bernama, November 14, 2022
