KUCHING: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) will contest on its own in the 15th general election (GE15) using its "Sarawak First" as its tag line, says Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
The GPS chairman said the state coalition would contest all 31 parliamentary seats in the state.
"This is the first time we are contesting on our own in the national elections.
"We have agreed that we will contest on the platform of Sarawak First and we will come up with our own manifesto," he told a press conference after chairing Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) and GPS supreme council meetings here on Tuesday (Oct 18).
GPS, which consists of PBB, Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP), is a partner in the Perikatan Nasional federal government but not a member of the coalition.
The four parties pulled out of Barisan Nasional after GE14 in 2018.
Asked if any coalition was wooing GPS for support, Abang Johari quipped that GPS was like a beautiful woman whom everyone wanted.
"But we are still at the dating stage, we are not engaged to anyone yet," he joked.
Abang Johari also said GPS had decided on fielding candidates in all 31 seats as agreed among its component parties, although several seats were still under consideration depending on the situation on the ground.
He said the candidates would be announced only after the Election Commission (EC) announces the nomination and polling dates.
"There will be new faces, but wait for nomination day," he said.
Abang Johari also said it was important for Sarawak to have a strong voice in Parliament to continue upholding the state's rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
"There are still three important matters to be resolved under MA63, including the special grant under Article 112D of the Federal Constitution to be based on a formula, High Court administration and technical departments like Public Works which carry out projects in Sarawak," he said.
