KUCHING: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) is highly unlikely to compromise or leave any of the state seats uncontested in the coming Sarawak state election merely to accommodate the Democratic Action Party (DAP) and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) despite their collaboration under the Madani government at the national level.
Political pundits observed that Sarawak’s political landscape is fundamentally different from Malaya, noting that GPS remains a dominant regional coalition with strong grassroots machinery and widespread support across both urban and rural constituencies.
Aside from that, they said GPS was formed with the primary objective of safeguarding Sarawak’s rights, autonomy and development agenda, and therefore would be cautious about making concessions that could dilute its influence in the State Legislative Assembly (DUN).
Political pundit Datuk Peter Minos said it is not likely GPS will share any of the seats, including the new ones with Sarawak DAP and Sarawak PKR.
“Why should GPS share? DAP Sarawak is very hostile, PKR Sarawak is at times a bit friendly but at times also critical and unfriendly.
“Aside from that PKR Sarawak is not popular and we do not know who chairs it. GPS cannot afford to lose any seat by pleasing PKR Sarawak.
“I believe it’s a ‘no’ to both DAP and PKR. May be DAP and PKR bosses in Kuala Lumpur will talk and lobby from Premier but Premier will not yield. That I’m sure,” he said when asked on the possibility of state-level seat arrangement between GPS and Pakatan Harapan in the coming state polls.
Minos, who is a Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu veteran, stressed that GPS will not give face to DAP Sarawak because their leaders were too hostile and very critical of all things that GPS is doing for Sarawak.
He said for PKR Sarawak, the party has no chance of winning any seat in Sarawak.
“The past state and federal election showed it. Why give any seat just to lose it?
GPS has the upper hand in Sarawak and now having the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) problems with Kuala Lumpur and I see Sarawak will not compromise. GPS intends to win, and win big and well. Not arrogant, but survival and to survive well,” he added.
Minos believed that Sarawak and GPS want to be in a strong position to discuss with Kuala Lumpur and therefore why would it want to lose or give away any seat, new or old, just to weaken itself?
He said if possible, GPS and Sarawak would want all the state legislative assembly (DUN) seats…to be strong in facing Kuala Lumpur, Petronas and the anti-MA63 people in Malaya.
He believed that Sarawak has been very reasonable and accommodating but Kuala Lumpur, Petronas and other Malaya-based entities are not listening, much less agreeing to be fair and just with Sarawak.
“Now Petronas is suing Sarawak to seek “clarifications” but what to clarify? Oil and gas in Sarawak are Sarawak’s own under Oil Mining Ordinance 1958 (OMO58) but by a federal law Petroleum Development Act 1974 (PDA74) our oil and gas are gone.
“So talking of accommodation with Peninsular-based parties has no meaning and hollow,” he said.
Minos noted that GPS, under Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Open, had done its best to build up and make economic and social progress for Sarawak, saying logically Sarawakians are happy and impressed with the GPS government.
“Few hardcore like those in PKR and DAP are not for GPS but I see and hope the vast majority are with GPS and Premier.
“The Sarawak sentiment is, I believe: get GPS up and running and return to office so that it can do more for Sarawak and its people,” he added.
