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‘GPS will retain power with a big majority’ - Borneo Post Online

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Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

KUCHING: Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) vice-president Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah believes Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) can win with big majority in the 12th State Election as it has years of good track record.

Abdul Karim said that the people are aware of the GPS government’s efforts to bring development to the state and the ruling coalition is fully prepared for the state polls.

“I believe GPS would win handsomely. I think the rakyat knows what the GPS government has been doing,” Abdul Karim told a press conference at his office yesterday.

On division of seats among GPS component parties, he said that it has been settled and that the party with stronger election machinery on the ground should be given the chance to stand in that particular seat, as it is better to win the seat for GPS than to squabble.

Asked if he will defend his Asajaya seat, he said the Chief Minister has not announced it but there are one or two GPS incumbents who offered to step down.

“For myself, it depends on the party, and I will respect the decision. That is PBB culture.”

The candidates will be considered based on their age, academic background, personality, relationship with the electorates and health. The party is also open to fielding more women candidate to fulfill the target of 30 per cent women representation, which GPS has almost achieved, he said.

When asked about Parti Peribumi Bersatu (Bersatu)’s position in GPS, he said that they are a GPS friendly party.

“As far as I’m concerned, Bersatu is our friend in the federal government, and here at the state level, they are our friend too.”

Asked if GPS would allocate any seat for Bersatu to contest in the state election, he said that anything GPS does is in the spirit of co-operation.

“It is not to say not to give, but there is always narrating the spirit of co-operation especially if we are friendly to each other. They are not our enemy because the federal government is Pakatan Nasional (PN) and GPS. Which means that GPS is allied to PN and not one of the components in PN.”

He added that Bersatu might have found out the sentiment on the ground, and as they do not have any seats in the current state assembly, they may have been doing their own survey to know if they have any chance of winning.

Similarly, when asked if the 2018 Parliament election result will have any bearing in the coming state election, he said that Parliament and State elections are different, and Sarawakians are more concerned about the state election.

Asked on if both Parliament and State elections should be held at the same time, he said it would be good if it is possible as it would save cost.

“For Sarawak, we have an election every 2 to 2.5 years, and we are busy campaigning all year. If can hold both together is a good suggestion, but it depends on the higher up. Election costs hundreds of millions which is the people’s money.”

The state election can be held anytime from now to June 7 next year when the current DUN term automatically dissolves as the first sitting for the current term was on June 7, 2016, said Abdul Karim.

 Mycomments:

        Will GPS still retain power with a big majority as claimed by Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah ?  Will Sarawakians still be fooled like ever before?   BN-GPS  no doubt "has years of good track record" in winning the elections.   But has the BN-GPS government had  good track records of proper development of infrastructure in different constituencies..  

          Have they been able to show the report book of proper infrastructure development for the rakyat in terms of well-connected network of road system facilitated with road lamps, good and standard school buildings, good hospital and clinics at different localities , good internet coverage, good and proper public transport and  good housing development with reasonable pricing?   How well has the BN-GPS government dealt with the woes of floods? 

            Have they been able to protect Sarawak from being plundered, exploited, oppressed, suppressed, robbed and bullied by the Malayan government?   How can the  BN-GPS government tolerate Malaysia / Malaya in disguise to colonise  an imperialise Sarawak for ages?   

          How can  the BN-GPS government retain power with a big majority  when you act in contrary to the majority of Sarawakians who demand for Sarawak independence and freedom to keep all the revenues belonging to Sarawak for the proper development of Sarawak when you are still in favour of federation with  the Malaya government?

          For years, the BN-GPS government has not been able to fight for our right share of so-called federal development funds which is supposed to be one-third of the total.  What more do you expect Sarawak to trust such incapable and inefficient  government?  

        Instead of protecting the rights of Sarawak, it has been selling out the rights of Sarawak in one way or another?  Sarawak has become the third poorest state despite being endowed with abundant natural resources.  Who in his/er right mind will vote for the BN-GPS coalition again?