CM rubbishes allegations of extremism setting foot in state
KUCHING: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has denied allegations that backing Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as Prime Minister would open the door for extremist elements of Umno and PAS to enter Sarawak.
“No, we will decide when it comes,” he told reporters at a press conference after officiating the Multi-Religious Harmony Forum at the Sarawak Islamic Information Centre (IIC) here yesterday.
He said that this was only the assumption of some people and he would decide the next action should extremism make its way to Sarawak.
Abang Johari was responding to questions that some parties had posted on social media saying that extremist elements from Umno and PAS would enter Sarawak following the state’s support for Muhyiddin.
“Because they assume these people will come, (what) if they don’t come?
“That is assumption. I only decide what happens when they
really come. Right? How can I pre-empt?
“Later, those people ask why did Abang act like that. They did not say they want to come (in),” he said.
When asked what Sarawak Pakatan Harapan’s Chong Chieng Jen’s offer to GPS was to prevent Umno and PAS from forming the federal government, Abang Johari did not comment further.
“I don’t know him (Chong). I’m very fair to you people (reporters) lah. What I tell you is what is happening. Number one, this is their problem, not our problem.
“Muhyiddin admitted he was not the candidate, but the party president resigned, so that is their problem.
“They needed our support for the sake of the country, so I supported, at least there is a prime minister now for the stability of our country,” he said.
On March 1, Chong in a statement said GPS had finally made PAS’ dream of becoming the federal government come true.
“The GPS’ latest statement that GPS is not in the Umno-PAS coalition but friendly to it is as lame an excuse as one can get. It is just a hopeless attempt by GPS to try to disassociate itself from PAS and Umno,” he said.
He said it was with the intention of avoiding such undesirable consequence to the nation that Sarawak DAP agreed to make concession to GPS, including not contesting in certain seats in the coming state polls.
“But it is GPS’ blessing and support that put PAS in the federal government, empowering PAS to impart its ideology and policies in our national policies and federal laws,” Chong said.
