Sarawak Parties Leave BN To Form Their Own State-Based Coalition
The coalition will not be joining Pakatan Harapan.
By Katrina Khairul Azman — 12 Jun 2018, 02:41 PM
Today, 12 June, Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg announced that all four component parties of Sarawak Barisan Nasional (BN) will be leaving the former ruling coalition to form a new state-based alliance
Abang Johari, who is also the Sarawak Barisan Chairman, revealed that Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS), Progressive Democratic Party (PDP), and Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) "made a unanimous decision" to leave BN to form Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), The Star reported.
"The decision was made after much deliberation, reflection, and due consideration, taking into account the country's current political developments post-GE14," he told reporters after chairing a meeting of the four party leaders at the PBB headquarters.
When asked what was the reasoning behind the decision, the politician said that it was time for a new political platform "to bring Sarawak into the new era desired by the people"
"We will protect the interests of all Sarawakians, regardless of the size of the community in inclusive manner," he said.
According to New Straits Times, the PBB president explained that their focus is to protect the way of life of the multicultural people of Sarawak as well as safeguard Sarawak's interests and rights based on Malaysia Agreement 1963.
Despite having no plans to join Pakatan Harapan, Abang Johari said that GPS will "cooperate and collaborate" with the Federal Government
He also thanked BN for the cooperation they received and the success they contributed towards.
The new coalition will inform Barisan Nasional, the Registrar of Societies, as well as the Speakers of the Sarawak Legislative Assembly and Parliament of its decision, The Star reported.