Gabungan Parti Sarawak

The Sarawak Parties Alliance, officially Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), is a Sarawak-based national political alliance in Malaysia. It was established in 2018 by four former Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties operating solely in Sarawak following the federal coalition's defeat in the 2018 Malaysian general election.[7] It is currently the fourth largest political coalition with 23 seats in the Dewan Rakyat, and forms the government in the state of Sarawak.

Gabungan Parti Sarawak
English nameSarawak Parties Alliance
Chinese name砂拉越政党联盟
Shālāyuè zhèngdǎng liánméng
Iban nameGempung Parti Sarawak
AbbreviationGPS
ChairmanAbang Abdul Rahman Zohari Abang Openg
Secretary-GeneralAlexander Nanta Linggi
Deputy ChairmanAwang Tengah Ali Hasan
Douglas Uggah Embas
Vice ChairmenSim Kui Hian
Tiong King Sing
Joseph Salang Gandum
FounderAbang Abdul Rahman Zohari Abang Openg
Founded12 June 2018 (2018-06-12)
Legalised19 November 2018[1][2]
Split fromBarisan Nasional
HeadquartersKuching, Sarawak
NewspaperJiwa Bakti
The Borneo Post
Suara Sarawak
Malay Mail
Sa'ati
IdeologyRegionalism
Sarawakian nationalism
Bumiputera interest
National conservatism
Secularism

Multiracialism
Political positionCentre-right to right-wing
National affiliationBarisan Nasional (1973–2018, since 2020)[nb 1]
Perikatan Nasional (2020–2022)[nb 2]
National Unity Government (since 2022)
Member parties
Colours  Red and black
SloganUtamakan Sarawak (Sarawak First)[3][4][5]
Anthem"GPS Utamakan Sarawak"[6]
"GPS Prioritises Sarawak"
Dewan Negara
7 / 70
Dewan Rakyat
23 / 31
(Sarawak seats)
Sarawak State Legislative Assembly:
79 / 82
Premier of Sarawak:
1 / 1
(Sarawak only)
Website
www.mygps.com.my

History

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Formation

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GPS was formed on 12 June 2018, consisting of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Sarawak United Peoples' Party (SUPP), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS), and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP).[8][9] The four parties were former component parties in Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition, with a gentleman's agreement that Peninsular or Sabah based parties within BN would never establish themselves in Sarawak, thus giving the parties a relative autonomy.[10] The coalition focuses on the state's interests and rights based on the Malaysia Agreement and remain an opposition at the Pakatan Harapan (PH) federal government despite the readiness to "cooperate and collaborate".[7] On 23 August 2018, its chairman, Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Abang Openg, announced that GPS Gabungan Parti Sarawak has been registered and is awaiting the issuance of the official letter from the Registrar of Societies (RoS).[11] The coalition was finally legalised on 19 November 2018.[1][2]

Policy

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As the component parties of GPS quit BN en bloc, it inherits BN's former place and dominance in Sarawak politics. The party claimed to continue the legacy of Adenan Satem, a relatively popular former Sarawak's chief minister, who led BN Sarawak to its triumph in 2016 state election on basis of greater autonomy of Sarawak.[12] Although the party pushed for constitutional amendments in accordance to 1963 Malaysian Agreement, its policy did not mention an outright Sarawak independence, rather it prefers to work within existing laws to regain what it calls as Sarawak's rights. The coalition launched its party policy in Kuching on 19 January 2019.[13] It often received condemnation from opposition parties in Sarawak and foreign observers for continuing abuse of government powers, such as uneven allocation of aid and development and perceived punishment toward ethnic chiefs not aligned with the government. The party also directly or indirectly controlled most major media publications in Sarawak.[14][15]

Political crisis

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Following the political crisis in 2020 (which saw the PH government lose its majority in the Dewan Rakyat), GPS entered into an agreement by declaring support for the new government coalition, Perikatan Nasional (PN). GPS chairman, however, maintained that the agreement will not see GPS become a member of PN, but will remain as a partner instead.[16] A week after PN's prime ministerial pick, Muhyiddin Yassin, was sworn in as the new premier, he announced his cabinet which saw four MPs from GPS appointed full ministers, and five others as deputy ministers.[17]

Elections

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GPS made its maiden electoral appearance in 2021 Sarawak state election. The election was marked as a huge success for the party, as it increased control over Sarawak State Legislative Assembly by winning 76 out of 82 seats contested.[18]

Member parties

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Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Abang Openg, the incumbent Chairman of Gabungan Parti Sarawak
Logo Name Ideology Leader(s) Seats
contested
2022 result Sarawak
seats only
Sarawak Legislature Seats
Votes (%) Seats Composition
PBB United Bumiputera Heritage Party
Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu
Sarawak nationalism Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Abang Openg 14 2.22%
14 / 222
14 / 23
47 / 82
 
SUPP Sarawak United Peoples' Party
Parti Rakyat Bersatu Sarawak
Sarawakian regionalist Syncretic politics and centrism Sim Kui Hian 7 1.08%
2 / 222
2 / 23
13 / 82
PRS Sarawak Peoples' Party
Parti Rakyat Sarawak
Sarawak nationalism Joseph Salang Gandum 6 0.44%
5 / 222
5 / 23
11 / 82
PDP Progressive Democratic Party
Parti Demokratik Progresif
Regionalism Tiong King Sing 4 0.54%
2 / 222
2 / 23
8 / 82

List of party chairmen

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No. Name
(Birth–Death)
Portrait Term of office
1 Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Abang Openg
(b. 1950)
  12 June 2018 Incumbent

Elected representatives

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Dewan Negara (Senate)

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Senators

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Dewan Rakyat (House of Representatives)

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Members of Parliament of the 15th Malaysian Parliament

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Gabungan Parti Sarawak has 23 MPs in the House of Representatives.

State No. Parliament Constituency Member Party
  Sarawak P193 Santubong Nancy Shukri PBB
P194 Petra Jaya Fadillah Yusof PBB
P197 Kota Samarahan Rubiah Wang PBB
P198 Puncak Borneo Willie Mongin PBB
P199 Serian Richard Riot Jaem SUPP
P200 Batang Sadong Rodiyah Sapiee PBB
P201 Batang Lupar Mohamad Shafizan Kepli PBB
P202 Sri Aman Doris Sophia Brodi PRS
P203 Lubok Antu Roy Angau Gingkoi PRS
P204 Betong Richard Rapu PBB
P206 Tanjong Manis Yusuf Abd. Wahab PBB
P207 Igan Ahmad Johnie Zawawi PBB
P208 Sarikei Huang Tiong Sii SUPP
P210 Kanowit Aaron Ago Dagang PRS
P213 Mukah Hanifah Hajar Taib PBB
P214 Selangau Edwin Banta PRS
P215 Kapit Alexander Nanta Linggi PBB
P216 Hulu Rajang Wilson Ugak Kumbong PRS
P217 Bintulu Tiong King Sing PDP
P218 Sibuti Lukanisman Awang Sauni PBB
P220 Baram Anyi Ngau PDP
P221 Limbang Hasbi Habibollah PBB
P222 Lawas Henry Sum Agong PBB
Total Sarawak (23)

Dewan Undangan Negeri (State Legislative Assembly)

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Malaysian State Assembly Representatives

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Sarawak State Legislative Assembly

79 / 82
State No. Parliamentary Constituency No. State Constituency Member Party
  Sarawak P192 Mas Gading N01 Opar Bily Sujang SUPP
N02 Tasik Biru Henry Jinep PDP
P193 Santubong N03 Tanjong Datu Azizul Annuar Adenan PBB
N04 Pantai Damai Abdul Rahman Junaidi PBB
N05 Demak Laut Hazland Abang Hipni PBB
P194 Petra Jaya N06 Tupong Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman PBB
N07 Samariang Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali PBB
N08 Satok Ibrahim Baki PBB
P196 Stampin N12 Kota Sentosa Wilfred Yap Yau Sin SUPP
N13 Batu Kitang Lo Khere Chiang SUPP
N14 Batu Kawah Sim Kui Hian SUPP
P197 Kota Samarahan N15 Asajaya Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah PBB
N16 Muara Tuang Idris Buang PBB
N17 Stakan Hamzah Brahim PBB
P198 Puncak Borneo N18 Serembu Miro Simuh PBB
N19 Mambong Jerip Susil PBB
N20 Tarat Roland Sagah Wee Inn PBB
P199 Serian N21 Tebedu Simon Sinang Bada PBB
N22 Kedup Maclaine Ben @ Martin Ben PBB
N23 Bukit Semuja John Ilus PBB
P200 Batang Sadong N24 Sadong Jaya Aidel Lariwoo PBB
N25 Simunjan Awla Idris PBB
N26 Gedong Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Abang Openg PBB
P201 Batang Lupar N27 Sebuyau Julaihi Narawi PBB
N28 Lingga Dayang Noorazah Awang Sohor PBB
N29 Beting Maro Razaili Gapor PBB
P202 Sri Aman N30 Balai Ringin Snowdan Lawan PRS
N31 Bukit Begunan Mong Dagang PRS
N32 Simanggang Francis Harden Hollis SUPP
P203 Lubok Antu N33 Engkilili Johnical Rayong Ngipa PDP
N34 Batang Ai Malcom Mussen Lamoh PRS
P204 Betong N35 Saribas Ricky @ Mohamad Razi bin Sitam PBB
N36 Layar Gerald Rentap Jabu PBB
N37 Bukit Saban Douglas Uggah Embas PBB
P205 Saratok N38 Kalaka Mohamad Duri PBB
N39 Krian Friday Belik PDP
N40 Kabong Mohd Chee Kadirh PBB
P206 Tanjong Manis N41 Kuala Rajang Len Talif Salleh PBB
N42 Semop Abdullah Saidol PBB
P207 Igan N43 Daro Safiee Ahmad PBB
N44 Jemoreng Juanda Jaya PBB
P208 Sarikei N45 Repok Huang Tiong Sii SUPP
N46 Meradong Ding Kuong Hiing SUPP
P209 Julau N47 Pakan William Mawan Ikom PBB
N48 Meluan Rolland Duat Jubin PDP
P210 Kanowit N49 Ngemah Anyi Jana PRS
N50 Machan Allan Siden Gramong PBB
P211 Lanang N51 Bukit Assek Chieng Jin Ek SUPP
N52 Dudong Tiong King Sing PDP
P212 Sibu N53 Bawang Assan Wong Soon Koh PDP
N54 Pelawan Michael Tiang Ming Tee SUPP
N55 Nangka Annuar Rapaee PBB
P213 Mukah N56 Dalat Fatimah Abdullah PBB
N57 Tellian Royston Valentine PBB
N58 Balingian Abdul Yakub Arbi PBB
P214 Selangau N59 Tamin Christopher Gira Sambang PRS
N60 Kakus John Sikie Tayai PRS
P215 Kapit N61 Pelagus Wilson Nyabong Ijang PRS
N62 Katibas Lidam Assan PBB
N63 Bukit Goram Jefferson Jamit Unyat PBB
P216 Hulu Rajang N64 Baleh Nicholas Kudi Jantai Masing PRS
N65 Belaga Liwan Lagang PRS
N66 Murum Chukpai Ugon PRS
P217 Bintulu N67 Jepak Iskandar Turkee PBB
N68 Tanjong Batu Johny Pang Leong Ming SUPP
N69 Kemena Stephen Rundi Utom PBB
N70 Samalaju Majang Renggi PRS
P218 Sibuti N71 Bekenu Rosey Yunus PBB
N72 Lambir Ripin Lamat PBB
P219 Miri N73 Piasau Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew SUPP
N74 Pujut Adam Yii Siew Sang SUPP
N75 Senadin Lee Kim Shin SUPP
P220 Baram N76 Marudi Penguang Manggil PDP
N77 Telang Usan Dennis Ngau PBB
N78 Mulu Gerawat Gala PBB
P221 Limbang N79 Bukit Kota Abdul Rahman Ismail PBB
N80 Batu Danau Paulus Gumbang PBB
P222 Lawas N81 Ba'kelalan Baru Bian PDP
N82 Bukit Sari Awang Tengah Ali Hasan PBB
Total Sarawak (79)

GPS state governments

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State Leader type Member Party State Constituency
  Sarawak Premier Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Abang Openg PBB Gedong
State Leader type Member Party State Constituency
  Sarawak Deputy Premier I Douglas Uggah Embas PBB Bukit Saban
  Sarawak Deputy Premier II Awang Tengah Ali Hasan PBB Bukit Sari
  Sarawak Deputy Premier III Sim Kui Hian SUPP Batu Kawah
State Leader type Member Party State Constituency
  Sarawak Speaker Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar PBB Non-MLA
  Sarawak Deputy Speaker Idris Buang PBB Muara Tuang

Ministerial posts

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Portfolio Office Bearer Party Constituency
Deputy Prime Minister
Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation
Minister Responsible for Sabah and Sarawak
Dato' Sri Haji Fadillah Yusof MP PBB Petra Jaya
Minister of Works Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi MP PBB Kapit
Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Dato' Sri Hajah Nancy Shukri MP PBB Santubong
Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Dato Sri Tiong King Sing MP MLA PDP Bintulu
Minister of National Unity Dato Sri Aaron Ago Dagang MP PRS Kanowit
Portfolio Office Bearer Party Constituency
Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Rubiah Wang MP PBB Kota Samarahan
Deputy Minister of Transport Datuk Hasbi Habibollah MP PBB Limbang
Deputy Minister of Economy Dato Hanifah Hajar Taib MP PBB Mukah
Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Dato' Sri Huang Tiong Sii MP MLA SUPP Sarikei
Deputy Minister of Health Dato Lukanisman Awang Sauni MP PBB Sibuti
Deputy Minister of Digital Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong MP PRS Hulu Rajang

General election results

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Election Total seats won Seats contested Total votes Outcome of election Election leader
2022
23 / 31
in sarawak
31 662,601  4 seats; Governing coalition
(Gabungan Parti Sarawak)
Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Abang Openg

State election results

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Election Total seats won Seats contested Total votes Voting percentage Outcome of election Election leader
2021
76 / 82
82 457,233 61.26%  9 seats; State governing coalition
(Gabungan Parti Sarawak)
Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Abang Openg

Notes

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  1. ^ From 1973 to 2018 as Barisan Nasional Sarawak
  2. ^ Junior partner in a coalition government

References

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  1. ^ a b Hidir Reduan Abdul Rashid (19 November 2018). "Gabungan Parti Sarawak gets nod from RoS". New Straits Times. Yahoo! News Singapore. Archived from the original on 22 November 2018. Retrieved 20 November 2018.
  2. ^ a b Samuel Aubrey; Abdul Hakim Bujang; Kim How Pin; Peter Boon (20 November 2018). "ROS officially approves GPS". The Borneo Post. Retrieved 20 November 2018.
  3. ^ "It's 'Sarawak First That's GPS' development approach". New Sarawak Tribune. 29 November 2018. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
  4. ^ Jeremy Veno (10 January 2019). "A guiding light for GPS". The Borneo Post. Retrieved 23 January 2019. According to Abang Johari, the focal point of the GPS logo depicts the Kenyalang (hornbill) in the shape of an 'S' which reflects the vision and slogan of the party of putting 'Sarawak First'.
  5. ^ "GPS will be new platform for Sarawak Government". Bernama. Daily Express. 21 January 2019. Retrieved 23 January 2019. The defeat of the Barisan Nasional (BN) government at the federal level after the general election last year saw BN component parties in the state forming the GPS with its slogan or catchphrase "Utamakan Sarawak" or "Sarawak First".
  6. ^ "Lirik Lagu GPS". Retrieved 13 September 2019.
  7. ^ a b Sharon Ling; Geryl Ogilvy (12 June 2018). "Sarawak BN parties pull out of coalition to form independent state-based pact". The Star. Retrieved 12 June 2018.
  8. ^ "Malaysia's Sarawak State Government leaves Barisan Nasional: Statement". Bloomberg. The Edge Markets. 12 June 2018. Retrieved 12 June 2018.
  9. ^ Lee Poh Onn (15 June 2018). "Commentary: Free from the shackles of a fallen coalition, does Sarawak parties leaving spell the end of the Barisan Nasional?". Channel NewsAsia. Archived from the original on 12 June 2019. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  10. ^ KiniTV (21 April 2016). "Umno masuk Sarawak, saya letak jawatan - Adenan". YouTube.
  11. ^ "Abang Jo: Gabungan Parti Sarawak is registered". Bernama. Free Malaysia Today. 23 August 2018. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
  12. ^ "GPS clear choice to fulfil Adenan's vision". New Sarawak Tribune. 29 November 2021. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  13. ^ Azil, Firdaus (19 January 2019). "GPS mampu pastikan hak Sarawak kembali terjamin". Astro Awani. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  14. ^ "It's raining money in Sarawak". New Mandala. 6 May 2016. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  15. ^ "Evil of GPS to deny salaries to political opponents: PSB's Bruce Chai". The Vibes. 27 January 2022. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
  16. ^ "CMO: GPS not a member of Perikatan Nasional, will support Muhyiddin regardless". Borneo Post. 29 February 2020. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
  17. ^ "Fadillah: GPS ministers, deputies will fight for Sarawak's rights". The Star. 9 March 2020. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
  18. ^ "Landslide win for GPS coalition as it retains power in Sarawak state polls". CNA. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
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