A huge crowd gathered at the PBB Headquarters at Jalan Bako here yesterday morning to witness the launching of the official logo of GPS.
GPS chairman Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg launched the logo, witnessed by the top echelon of the coalition’s four-member parties namely, PBB, SUPP, PRS and PDP.
New Sarawak Tribune spoke to Law, State-Federal Relations and Project Monitoring Assistant Minister Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali on the significance of the event and her thoughts on the future of GPS.
Sharifah, a lawyer by training, was very optimistic and described the event as a momentous one.
“For the first time, Sarawak is led by a coalition of local-based political parties which are not linked in any way either officially or non-officially to any West Malaysia-based parties,” she said.
She pointed out that the hornbill, which is featured in the logo, is a protected and endangered species.
She said Sarawak, like the hornbill, is also in need of protection.
Hasidah views GPS as the best platform for Sarawakians to unite and protect the rights of the state as enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
She said GPS is also the appropriate platform to protect the existing harmony among plural Sarawakians who are well-known for their mutual understanding, tolerance and acceptance of one another. SUPP vice-president Datuk Lee Kim Shin also commented on the hornbill logo: “In Miri, there is a big effort in terms of conservation for the hornbill. There is even a sanctuary for the bird in the middle of the city.
“In reality, the Sarawak government also wants to preserve the ways of life in the rural areas and in the city.
“The people in Malaya should emulate our ways of life in Sarawak where tolerance and understanding are of vital importance.
“They should learn from us and not come here and try to teach us their flawed ways.
“I hope all Sarawakians will now rally behind this new platform for the sake of preserving our ways of life more than anything else.” – S. Sivanesan
