Sarawak gov't agrees to Perikatan Nasional plus GPS federal cabinet

Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) will be joining the federal government as an ally to Perikatan Nasional (PN), announced Sarawak Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg.

The Borneo Post reported Abang Johari as saying that Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin extended an invitation two days ago and that both sides agreed for the cabinet to be based on the "PN Plus GPS" formula.

“It is up to the prerogative of the prime minister to decide which Cabinet posts for Sarawak to have,” he added.

This arrangement is similar to Pakatan Harapan's arrangement with Warisan previously and would make GPS collectively responsible for Putrajaya's decisions.

PN, which came to power last week, consists of Bersatu, BN, and PAS.

Previously, during last week's political turmoil, Sarawak deputy chief minister James Masing had said that GPS found it more acceptable to work with PAS than with DAP.

Abang Johari was cited by FMT as saying that joining the cabinet would allow GPS to look after Sarawak's interests.

"If we are not there, then we won’t know what’s happening. We can’t voice out officially if we are not in the federal cabinet," he said.

He added that GPS would continue pursuing their rights as per the 1963 Malaysia Agreement and demand that Petronas give the state five percent oil royalty.