Abang Johari Tun Openg
KUCHING: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has denied Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) is seeking cooperation with Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS).
He said PAS president Datuk Seri Hadi Awang had come to see him as part of Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar’s delegation, who paid a courtesy call on him on Tuesday (Sept 17) at Wisma Bapa Malaysia.
He also said there was no talks of GPS cooperating with PAS, as alleged by DAP Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen.
“No, no cooperation (with PAS). It is him (Chong) who said that. It was not me meeting with Hadi Awang. The one paying a courtesy call on me was the Menteri Besar of Terengganu, and he had come along because the Menteri Besar was once his political secretary.
“The Menteri Besar was in Kuching attending the Malaysia Day celebrations here. We did discuss something (between Sarawak and Terengganu) because Terengganu, as you know, is also an oil and gas producer.
“Hadi was following him. So as host, I cannot say ‘Hadi, don’t follow’, since I must show Sarawak hospitality,” he told reporters today after officiating the opening ceremony of Sarawak Housing and Real Estate Developers Association (Sheda) Property Expo at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching.
Abang Johari, who is also GPS chairman, said he waas aware that his political opponents were “spinning up stories” about the meeting.
“I know people are spinning it. But, don’t forget I have also met (Parti Keadilan Rakyat president Datuk Seri) Anwar Ibrahim, (PKR deputy president Datuk Seri) Azmin Ali and the Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in Kuching.
“I mean, these people (who spin the stories) are so shallow. Their politics is so shallow.
“Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Hamzah even met (DAP Pending assemblywoman) Violet Yong when she was warded at the hospital. Don’t tell me there is something going on between them. Don’t need to be so shallow,” he said.
Hadi, in a Facebook post, claimed that at the top of their topics of discussion with Abang Johari was ways to strengthen the cooperation between PAS-led Terenggany and Kelantan with Sarawak.
“We exchanged views about efforts to foster the friendship between Kelantan, Terengganu and Sarawak and subsequently to strengthen cooperation and maintain unity and peace in the country,” he wrote.
Chong on Wednesday had described the courtesy call by PAS on Abang Johari as an unholy union of PAS, Umno and PBB to topple the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government using racial politics.
He alleged that Hadi and his PAS delegation had met up with Abang Johari to discuss the cooperation of PAS and Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) of which Abang Johari is the president.
Chong also said a day earlier on Sept 16 (Malaysia Day), Hadi openly resorted to hate speech about DAP wanting the Chinese to control Sarawak.
“Such racist statement is totally untrue and has no place in Sarawak,” said Chong, the Bandar Kuching MP.