ROS officially approves GPS

KUCHING: The registration of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) has been approved and the Registrar of Societies (RoS) will be issuing the official letter in the next few days, says Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

“Regarding the application to register GPS, it has already been approved and the letter will be issued by ROS in a day or two, Insya-Allah,” Muhyiddin said in his winding-up speech for Budget 2019 in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.

He was responding to Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi (PBB-Kapit), who asked about the status of the application from GPS because it had been more than three months since the application was made.

GPS consists of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS), Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP).

These parties, which formed the ruling Sarawak government, announced that they were withdrawing from Barisan Nasional (BN) on June 12 to form GPS – not long after the 14th general election in May.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister and PBB president Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, in his immediate reply, thanked Muhyddin and the federal government for approving GPS.

In a press conference at the Parliament lobby, Nanta expressed his gratitude to the RoS and the Home Ministry for the approval.

“We submitted the application in early July and were told the process would take between three and six months,” said Nanta, who is also PBB secretary-general and GPS pro tem secretary-general.

Petra Jaya MP and PBB senior vice president Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof also expressed his deepest appreciation to RoS and Muhyiddin for the approval. Fadillah, who is also GPS parliamentary chief whip, said this signified the recognition of the struggles of Sarawakians to defend Sarawak’s rights in Malaysia.

“GPS welcomes the decision and is very thankful to the Home Ministry for approving the registration of this coalition of four Sarawak parties.

“As always stressed by the Chief Minister, Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, GPS will work together with the federal government for the sake of the nation and the state’s interests as guided by the Federal Constitution and spirit of Federation of Malaysia.

“The GPS was formed to ensure Sarawak moves in a new political direction, and step forward in facing challenges in line with the changing aspirations, needs and demands of the multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-religious Sarawak,” he said.

He assured all that GPS would be inclusive in defending the interests of all Sarawakians irrespective of race or creed.

“This new coalition will enable Sarawak to give more focus on the rights and interests as enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63),” he said.

PBB vice-presidents Datuk Julaihi Narawi and Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah also welcomed the approval of the registration of GPS as great news to Sarawakians. They commented that the approval facilitates GPS to plan and implement the Sarawak government’s development agenda under one coalition.

This is because all GPS component leaders and Sarawakians themselves believe that only local political parties can understand the needs and desires of the people of Sarawak, they said.

Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) president Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian said the registration of GPS marked the beginning of a new political era for Sarawak as only Sarawakians can determine their destiny.

“GPS, which is based on four Sarawak parties, shall fight for Sarawak without the previous constraints. Sarawakians must work together as one and remain strongly united and avoid being divided and being exploited,” added Dr Sim.

Dr Sim thus congratulated Abang Johari, saying all parties are in full support of his leadership to lead Sarawak.

“There are lots of work to do and many challenges ahead for Sarawak,” he said.
Meanwhile, United People’s Party (UPP) advisor Dr Chou Chii Ming said the registration of GPS goes to show that the federal government has trust in Abang Johari as the Chief Minister of Sarawak

In pointing this out yesterday, he said the registration of GPS by RoS indicates that the federal government realises the need for a new political front in Sarawak.

“The registration of GPS by RoS has signified that the federal government realises the importance and the need for a new political front formed by local political parties in leading Sarawak for development in all aspects.

“It is a further move to show that the federal government has trust in our Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari to lead Sarawak for the progress and well-being of its people,” he said when prompted for comments on GPS being approved as a legal entity.