KUCHING: The Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) is expecting to face some issues, especially to restore Sarawak rights and autonomy listed under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) if the Barisan Nasional win in the next general election, a political analyst says.
Prof Dr James Chin of the Asia Institute, University of Tasmania in Australia said GPS would maintain the ‘kingmaker status’ but with less influence over the Federal Government.
“If the BN or Umno can form the government with a clear majority, they would still want the support from GPS – to further strengthen the coalition. However, GPS will have less influence (with 18 parliament seats) they are holding now.”
“This is quite dangerous for GPS as there are a lot of things that GPS wants to do, particularly in restoring more rights or full autonomy under MA63,” he told New Sarawak Tribune.
Chin was commenting on Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan’s recent statement that the party must win GE15 with a huge majority in order to form a stable government that would not be dependent on the mercy of others.
Mohamad, who is Barisan Nasional deputy chairman, said Umno’s confidence in becoming the strongest political party to win GE15 was based on changing trends in the national political landscape, BN’s performances as well as changes adopted by the party to embrace and champion reforms.
On whether GPS could win more seats or achieve a landslide victory in the GE15, Chin opined that this would depend on when the election is being held.
“If the GE15 is held this year, GPS will definitely win more seats, but (its performances) not as good as what they achieved in the state polls. However, it is also too early to predict the result as well,” he added.
