If CM says fight, GPS will fight, Nancy Shukri says on giving way to Bersatu in polls

Batang Sadong MP Nancy Shukri says the ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) coalition is prepared to fight for its traditional parliamentary seats in the event of an election, whether at the state or federal level, with any decision on giving way to Bersatu dependant on Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg.

“Whatever our chief minister decides, as our leader, we will follow,” she told MalaysiaNow when asked about the possibility of the peninsula-based Bersatu matching GPS in terms of parliamentary seats.

“If Abang Johari says fight, we will fight.”

GPS, comprising Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), the Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) and the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP), is widely seen as a kingmaker in federal politics.

Nancy, who is vice-chief of the PBB women’s wing, described GPS as an “independent force”, saying guidance on the matter of elections would come from Abang Johari.

“We are on our own,” she added. “We do not interfere with any of the peninsula-based parties.”

The arts, culture and tourism minister however assured that GPS would continue to work with the federal government for Sarawak’s best interest.

“Our stand is, we will remain united, and we have to make decisions as one GPS,” she said.

MalaysiaNow previously reported that Bersatu would respect any stand by GPS in the event that the coalition decides not to make way for friendly parties from the peninsula.

“We acknowledge that we are not big. We understand their stand and we respect that, and we want to make sure that our relationship is harmonious because we are in the same boat,” Sarawak Bersatu chairman, Jaziri Alkaf A Suffian, who doubles as the state’s Perikatan Nasional (PN) chief, had said.

He also assured that Bersatu was no threat to GPS, saying he had personally told Abang Johari that the party was “here to assist”.

PN had extended its cooperation to GPS following the maiden official visit of its chairman and then prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin, pledging to mobilise its resources to help its Sarawak ally win in the impending state election, as well as the future general election.

Muhyiddin was replaced by Ismail Sabri Yaakob in August after losing the support of the majority.