Another Brick in the Wall
سوكوڠن سابه، سراوق ترهادڤ محضير، انور موڠكين د لوار جڠكان
The Utusan Sarawak headline on Thursday evening, “GPS bebas, tidak sertai Pakatan Nasional – Abang Johari” was certainly odd.
PN is a non-existent entity, thus the denial indirectly acknowledged its existence. A Sarawak blogger speculated it may have come up in recent meetings between Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Nevertheless, it turned out that it was touched by Abang Jo during a PC as an answer to a question from the press.
That explains it.
Political parties and factions in the rivalry on the power transition from Mahathir to Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim have been making claims that Parliament seats held by Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) are aligned to them.
To quote a private comment from a former Federal Minister made in July last year, “…the chess board strategy being made out – a lot of “political game strategist’ just place GPS as if we don’t think to decide.”
After Abang Jo’s statement, the sides are still insisting the same and merely modified their viraled claims with a variation of 2 to 4 seats going to the other side.
Orang Malaya seem to be taking Sabah and Sarawak for granted.
At almost the same time, Dato Seri Anifah Aman called on Sabah politicians to look into the interests of the people and state above politics in his press statement on the new political coalition [read his FB here].
The answers and statements by Abang Jo and Anifah may indicate surprises that are in the making when Parliament convenes on the 9thof March.
There is an opportunity presented and orang Malaya should not be presumptuous on the political stances of Sabah and Sarawak.
Demands
Anifah is without any seat in Parliament and the common political attitude prevailing in Kuala Lumpur would be to brush him off as not having the locus standi to talk.
Orang Malaya not only take things for granted, being presumptuous, but now have short term memories. They have forgotten Anifah’s active role during the Kimanis by-election to help BN’s campaign against Warisan and his influence that brought the support of KDM leaders.
Anifah still wields sufficient support and influence in Gabungan Bersatu Sabah (GBS), UMNO Sabah and not to be surprised, PPBM Sabah. Anifah’s statement could be a barometer of what is to come from Sabah.
His call on Sabah leaders to stop being deceived by sweet promises will resonate with Members of Parliament across the divide.
He demanded Federal government to immediately implement the 57-year old Malaysia Agreement 1963, pay oil royalty, and address illegal immigrant problems.
In the meanwhile, the message from Sarawak for more than a year has consistently been the former BN allies will act to the best interest of Sarawak. Isn’t that a message similar to Anifah’s?
Picking up where Allahyarham Pehin Sri Tan Sri Datuk Amar Hj Adenan bin Hj Satem left off, the Sarawak state government is more aggressive in demanding that the Federal Government adheres to MA63.
In his statement, Abang Jo emphasised that GPS will be independent and will observe the political development at federal level from a distance. It is a Malaya problem and not that of Sarawak.
READ FULL ANALYSIS HERE
