GABUNGAN Parti Sarawak (GPS) has reiterated its firm stand of not interfering in the 17th Sabah state election (PRN), stressing that both Sabah and Sarawak, as equal partners in the Federation of Malaysia, have full autonomy to conduct their own democratic processes without external influence.
Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap said GPS has consistently upheld the ‘Sarawak First’ principle, and as part of the coalition, he remains fully committed to respecting this foundational guideline.
“At the same time, all GPS elected representatives must stay focused on our primary responsibility, which is to serve the people of Sarawak and support the policies outlined by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
“Sarawak progresses because of our unity, and it is this unity that allows us to achieve stability, growth, and development for all Sarawakians,” he said during a press conference at the Media Room of the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) Complex today.
Wilfred, who is also the chairman of the Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Kota Sentosa added that it is important for coalition members to maintain clear boundaries between official duties, inter-state engagements, and election-related activities.
He said this discipline is crucial for maintaining public trust and ensuring that GPS continues to be seen as a coalition that practices responsible, transparent, and mature governance.
“If any GPS representative breaks this discipline, such action could undermine the coalition’s credibility and the people’s trust.
“As a GPS representative from SUPP, I will always work together with our GPS partners to strengthen Sarawak’s unity, uphold our rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), and ensure that our focus remains on ‘Sarawak First’ while delivering the best services to the people of Sarawak,” he said.
Meanwhile, a total of 1.76 million voters are expected to cast their ballots in tomorrow’s 17th Sabah state election, which will see contests for 73 DUN seats. A record 596 candidates have confirmed their nominations, up from 447 in the 2020 state election.
The intensity of the contest is reflected in several multi-cornered fights, including a 14-cornered battle in Tulid, and 13-cornered contests in Bandau, Tamparuli, Inanam, and Kapayan. Banggi and Moyog each feature 12 candidates, while the least-contested seats are Senallang and Merotai, with four candidates each.
