PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg has assured him that Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) will continue to back his administration until the end of the term.
Speaking in a dialogue with senior editors, Anwar said any attempts to change the government will only be successful with backing from East Malaysian MPs, but this has been discounted by Abang Johari.
“Yesterday we spoke at length, and he wants this episode to be finalised,” Anwar told the press at the Seri Perdana Complex here, referring to his meeting with Abang Johari.
“In the current political situation, the role or stand of GPS is quite critical because only with statements and support from leading parties of Sarawak (GPS) and Sabah (Gabungan Rakyat Sabah) can such a change (of government) happen.
SPONSORED CONTENT Sabah International Convention Centre’s Big Sabah Sale a big hit Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah International Convention Centre’s (SICC) Big Sabah Sale which concluded on Sunday saw a good response with about 20,000 visitors during the three-day extravaganza. . Read more “Any attempt of ‘tebuk atap’ would only have basis if the room is given by these two states (Sarawak and Sabah)... I pick this session to state that the ‘tebuk atap’ case, if it’s going to use the Sabah and Sarawak support (narrative) again, it would nullify itself,” he said.
Anwar said Abang Johari had revealed that there had been several desperate attempts to persuade him and his party, but he had firmly rejected them.
“After one year, the government is stable. Collaboration between the parties, Pakatan Harapan, Barisan Nasional, GPS, and GRS, is much stronger.
“I have not encountered any single serious problem in our attempts to undertake or effect changes or reform. And I’m more confident now after one year with that experience, some adjustment in the Cabinet that we can forge ahead with some speed and certainty,” he said.
On Friday, Anwar received a visit from Abang Johari which saw both leaders agreeing to strengthen cooperation between the state and the federation.
In a post on Facebook, Anwar said cooperation in green energy and growing opportunities for new investments in Sarawak and the peninsula were among the topics discussed in the meeting.
Additionally, Anwar also said he feels more confident now about implementing reforms and focusing on governing the country after one year in power — thanks to the political stability.
“I’m more confident now. And we will forge ahead with speed and certainty in January,” he said.
He said his administration’s focus in 2024 will be “the economy, economy, economy.”
The Tambun MP also downplayed any friction with political rivals-turned-allies, Umno — saying their working relationship is very good and he has not encountered any major difficulty working with the party.
However, he also suggested that Umno would help to allay any fears from Malay voters of it working with Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) component DAP by explaining the matter in detail to the grassroots.
“They have to explain that DAP is representing a huge majority of voters, especially the ethnic Chinese.
“But even then, what is exactly the problem here?” he asked, referring to Umno working together with DAP.
Anwar currently holds the support of 152 out of 222 MPs in the Dewan Rakyat — a supermajority of more than two-thirds of the total MPs.
* Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss.
* Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.