KUCHING, Dec 17 — Tupong State Assemblyman Fazzruddin Abdul Rahman today warned that Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) has the right to pull its support from the national unity government if the state’s rights are challenged.
He said in the event that it leaves the unity government, the decision will be made as a bloc and not by individual Members of Parliament (MP)
Fazzruddin, who is also the chief political secretary to Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg, said the 23 MP from the GPS will not lose their seats under the anti-party hopping law since they were contesting under the coalition’s banner in the 15th general election (GE15).
“At the same time, we must recognise the support given by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in highlighting the unresolved matters pertaining to Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) for Sarawak and Sabah,” he said in a statement.
Fazzruddin was commenting on the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by four major parties that formed the unity government yesterday.
He stressed that Anwar has given the full mandate to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof to sort out the outstanding MA63 claims.
He said he recognises that the unity government is made up of parties from Sarawak and Sabah, reflecting the inclusiveness of the current administration.
“This would bode well for the development of the two Borneo states in terms of infrastructure, facilities, economy, prosperity and sovereignty,” he added.
On the MoU, signed by Pakatan Harapan, Barisan Nasional, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah, Parti Warisan Sabah and GPS, he said it only serves to formalise the formation of the unity government until the end of the current term of Parliament.
“GPS took the step to heed the advice of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to ensure that a government can be formed and to end the political crisis after the election,” he said.
Among others, he said the MoU sought to outline the commitment of the parties that form the unity government to protect the Federal Constitution, Rukun Negara, separation of powers of three branches of the federal government, good governance as well as equal status between Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak and Sabah.
“At the same time, it ensures that the unity government that is formed will be stable as parties in the government are bound to support the prime minister in the passing of Bills in Parliament,” he said.
Fazzrudin said GPS is not part of Pakatan Harapan (PH), but one of the parties that form the unity government.
