BY ALEXANDRA LORNA & JACINTHA JOLENE
SIBU: All component parties and members within Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) have been urged to remain firmly united and continue sailing together in the same boat to safeguard Sarawak’s unity, strengthen its political stability, and secure its long-term prosperity.
GPS Chairman, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, said the coalition’s solidarity was crucial to ensuring Sarawak’s voice continues to carry weight at the national level, especially in defending the state’s rights and interests.
“If Sarawak’s voice is to be heard, Sarawak must remain united at the front. We must unite,” he said in his speech at the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) Triennial General Assembly 2026 (TGA 2026) at Kingwood Hotel here today.
He stressed that differences within the coalition should be resolved amicably for the greater good of the state.
Drawing an analogy from family life, Abang Johari quoted the late legendary actor, P. Ramlee, saying that “even the tongue gets bitten, what more husband and wife” to illustrate that disagreements are natural but can be overcome through understanding and unity.
“At the end of the day, problems can be solved. If we want our family to remain united, we must prioritise the family and not let our children suffer. Likewise, we do not want Sarawak to suffer,” he said.
Abang Johari, who is the Premier of Sarawak, said GPS leaders and members must continue working together under a shared vision for Sarawak’s future.
“This is our way to sail together in the GPS boat. We sail because we want to defend the passengers in that boat,” he said, while reaffirming the coalition’s inclusive approach to governance.
He said the state government’s policies were designed to benefit all Sarawakians regardless of race or religion, citing the implementation of free tertiary education for Sarawakian students as an example.
“It is not only for Malays, Melanaus, Ibans, Bidayuhs or Orang Ulu, but for all Sarawakians. As long as your child qualifies, finance is no longer a problem because GPS is paying for you,” he said.
Abang Johari, who is ali also credited Sarawak’s strong financial position to the unity and backing of GPS component parties, including PDP, Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) and Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB).
The Premier warned that internal divisions would only weaken Sarawak and distract the leadership from steering the state forward.
“If we fight among ourselves, we will not be capable of managing our economy. But if we are united like this, people cannot break us apart, because Sarawak comes first,” he said.
