Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, a vice-president in GPS’ linchpin Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), conceded that it was PN’s right to run for any seat in the country, but warned that it would be going against all four parties in the Sarawak coalition if it contested against any of them.
“My personal view is that PN should just leave Sarawak alone,” the state tourism, creative industry and performing arts minister told FMT.
“My advice to PN is to refrain from contesting in Sarawak. Any good deed will go a long way in strengthening future cooperation between GPS and PN. Don’t be friendly with GPS only on the surface but unfriendly behind us.”
On Saturday, Sarawak PN Youth chief Alexander Frusis was quoted as saying the coalition would contest for several parliamentary seats in GE15 but would not clash with PBB.
This came amid reports that Bersatu’s Ali Biju is set to defend his Saratok seat although the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP), a GPS component, wanted the seat.
Ali made way for a GPS candidate in the Krian seat in last December’s Sarawak state election.
Political analyst Jeniri Amir, a fellow with the Council of Professors, said it was unrealistic for PN to contest in Sarawak because of the weakness of its leadership and ideology and also because PAS was its coalition partner.
He claimed that PN had lost influence since Muhyiddin Yassin, its chairman, resigned as the prime minister.
He said PN would sour its ties with GPS if it were to contest in Sarawak, even if not against PBB, and that would be unwise.
Another analyst, Awang Azman Pawi of Universiti Malaya, said PN would be wasting its time and energy if it contested in Sarawak as it was sure to suffer a heavy defeat.
GPS is made up of PBB, PDP, SUPP and Parti Rakyat Sarawak.
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