GPS agrees to form govt with PN, BN, GRS - Abang Johari

GPS has agreed to form a government together with Perikatan Nasional (PN), BN, and Sabah's GRS, Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Openg announced today.

GPS has 22 seats and combined with all others, PN will have 131 seats in Parliament, more than enough to form a government.

However, PN chief Muhyiddin Yassin - in a separate statement later - conspicuously left out BN as among those supporting his bid to become prime minister.

Abang Johari had earlier met with Muhyiddin and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang.

At a press conference today, the GPS chief said the decision was made to strengthen and stabilise the country in order to ensure the people's well-being and safeguard the economy.

He also stressed that the cooperation is based on upholding the Federal Constitution and Sarawak’s sovereignty as per the Malaysia Agreement 1963 - which includes upholding freedom of religion in Sarawak, autonomy in education and health matters, and other issues regarding the region’s interests.

He also affirmed supporting Muhyiddin as GPS' prime minister candidate.

Asked whether any agreement had been signed, Abang Johari replied in the negative.

GPS’ announcement throws Pakatan Harapan chief Anwar Ibrahim's claims to have the numbers to form a government in writing off balance.

Abang Johari told reporters that Anwar had reached out to but indicated that he did not reciprocate.

"Everybody wants to see me honestly… but whether I see them or not (is a different matter)," he said.

The only option available for Anwar now is to have BN by his side, instead of PN.

BN and Harapan combined will have 112 seats - a simple majority.

The PAS factor

However, there is deep opposition within BN and its lead party Umno towards any form of cooperation with Anwar and Harapan due to DAP's presence.

GPS also has an intense rivalry with DAP - which was up until the emergence of Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) as an opposition group - now the coalition's main rival in Sarawak.

However, GPS 'decision to align with PN may not sit well with Sarawakians.

For one, another party GPS is ideologically opposed to is PAS - which commands 44 out of 73 PN seats.

GPS has often criticised PAS for alleged attacks on non-Muslims and their rights.

Also a potential source of contention is Muhyiddin's remarks on Thursday where he questioned whether Malaysia would go through a "Christianisation" process if Harapan ruled.

He later claimed his remarks were taken out of context.

Over 63 percent of Sarawak's people are Christians.

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