SELANGAU: Caretaker Prime Minister Datuk Patinggi Ismail Sabri Yaakob is confident that Barisan Nasional (BN) can secure more than 112 seats in the 15th General Election (GE15).
“Yes, we have to be confident. Each party competing (in the election) needs to be confident. We are confident we can win back the seats,” he said in a press conference after the launching ceremony of Pan Borneo Highway Selangau Section and the handover of tablets to university students here today (Nov 14).
He pointed out that a simple majority victory this time around will set a foundation for a stable government due to the recently enforced anti-hopping law.
“It’s different now than before, in the past the simple majority was very dangerous because it was still possible to jump parties. Now with the anti-hopping law, no one can jump the party after winning their seats. If elected representatives jump ship, they must vacate their seats,” he explained.
When asked about the BN’s cooperation with Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), Ismail said that even though GPS is not a component party to BN yet they have a long history and understand each other.
“We understand the aspirations of the people of Sarawak because of the relationship even though we are different now. But we are still together. For example, when I was the leader of the opposition, GPS was with us. They (GPS) did not join the Pakatan Harapan (PH) Government at that time.
“And when we form a new government, GPS is also with us. So, surely that relationship will continue,” he said.
Meanwhile, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg when asked whether GPS has made a decision to work with BN after the general election, said, “we are still in courtship”.
“Sekarang ini lagi syok sendiri lah. Agik bergerek. Tak lama lagi akad nikah lah (Now, it is just a feel-good feeling, we are still in courtship. Soon, (maybe) we will work together).
Also present was Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, caretaker Senior Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, caretaker Communications and Multimedia Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa and other delegates.
