Tiang on the formation of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS)

suppadmin | June 14, 2018

SUPP Central Youth chief, Michael Tiang said the biggest impact brought forth by the formation of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) as announced by Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) on last Tuesday is to put the federation of Malaysia at a right perspective according to the original way we formed the federation in 1963 whereby Malaya, Singapore (withdrew in 1965), Sabah and Sarawak were 4 territories having their sovereignty in state government, state assembly, local governments as well as local political party platforms.

He said these “separation of powers” are in fact an indispensable and fundamental feature to the foundation of the federation of Malaysia since 1963. This feature was meant to ensure all founding partners enjoyed an equal position and independent political powers to achieve self-government in the federation, yet all partners came together to build a united and prosperous federation in the international community.

Currently the new political combination to govern Malaysia has been finalized on 12 June 2018 with the formation of GPS for Sarawak, Pakatan Harapan for the Peninsula and Warisan for Sabah. This is unlike the political landscape in the past whereby a huge political alliance – Barisan Nasional was governing the whole Malaysia with the powers centralised in Malaya. This caused inequality in national distribution of weatlth and power, particularly to Sabah and Sarawak.

‘The “Barisan Nasional” model that the Malayan side was domineering over Sabah and Sarawak in the past has proven not to be conducive in the long run thus, it “bursts” during the last General Election.

With the separate political platforms being formed in the 3 territories respectively, there will be a more effective mechanism for check and balance of the national sharing of wealth and powers. Through this, we can each concentrate on our individual territorial’s needs and wants. We should keep this separate so that there will not be a nation-wide collusion in the name of a political alliance to the detriment of our democracy in the future,’ he added.

Tiang said he therefore supports what Chief Minister, Datuk Patinggi Abang Zohari Tun Openg asserted that with the formation of GPS, the four local parties alliance now has more independence. We are no longer a part of a national alliance, but a local alliance focused more on Sarawak’s rights and interests. At the same time we can collaborate with the PH government on national interest and needs.