GPS to support govt until next general election

Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) says it will continue to support the government led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim until the next general election.

GPS chairman Abang Johari Openg said this support was important to ensure stability, so that the government could rule with better focus.

"We give you (Anwar) full support and have a stable federal government until the next election," the Sarawak premier said during his speech at the national-level Malaysia Day 2023 celebration at Unity Stadium in Kuching last night.

The event was attended by Anwar, acting Sarawak Yang Dipertua Negeri Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar and other dignitaries.

Abang Johari said although Sarawak and Sabah were pursuing several matters, especially under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), this did not mean that the states could not work together with those in Peninsula Malaysia for the good of the country.

"The setting up of the unity government is proof that differences are not obstacles to unity," he said, adding that the GPS government in Sarawak was grateful to the federal government for its readiness to return the rights of Sarawak and Sabah as stipulated under the Federal Constitution and MA63.
 
Abang Johari said every Sarawakian desired that the rights and the state's special position in the constitution and MA63 continued to be respected and implemented as agreed by leaders in 1963.

He added that Sept 16 and Aug 31 were equally important as both dates are irrevocably linked to the founding of the country.

"Personally, I don’t think we need to debate about those dates, but focus on efforts to unify regions and bring our people together and ensure development is equally distributed in every region.

"Also, what’s important about Malaysia Day celebrations is to allow all Malaysians to be aware that our country exists from Kangar until Kuching and to Kota Kinabalu in the east," he added.