"The Sarawak Snub!" - The “Final Nail In The Coffin” For Dr M And Muhyiddin's Political Endgame?

"The Sarawak Snub!" - The “Final Nail In The Coffin” For Dr M And Muhyiddin's Political Endgame?


18 Jan 2024 • 4:00 PM MYT




JK Joseph
Repentant ex-banker who believes in truth, compassion and some humour.

Dr Mahathir and PN Chairman Muhyiddin Yassin have every reason to look worried. With time no longer on their side, isn't it ironic that it's their own staunch former allies from Sarawak who have surely now delivered the “knock-out” blow to their aspirations? Credit Image: Quora


While Perikatan Nasional leaders are still reeling from the fallout from the “Dubai Move” bombshell - which incidentally appeared to have backfired spectacularly - it looks like they have now been hit by another surprise “missile” launched from across the South China Sea; this was after Sarawak premier Abang Johari (aka Abang Jo) had publicly reaffirmed that his Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) will want PM Anwar’s unity government to see out the full term!


It's no secret that PN leaders have always been brazenly eyeing a quick takeover of Putrajaya; in fact, at the outset of the “six state elections” last year, their top brass were openly claiming that victory in Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and Penang will intensify the momentum and expedite the almost “certain collapse” of the then floundering unity government.


However, it never came to fruition although the much-vaunted “green wave” did manage to inflict some heavy damage on the Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional combo in the three west coast states while mercilessly obliterating its rivals in Kelantan, Terengganu and Kedah.


And now comes this latest setback from GPS, who incidentally are regarded as the “kingmakers” of Malaysian politics and one whom Hadi Awang and Muhyiddin have always treated with the utmost care and respect, making sure not to step on their toes, as no doubt their help will be crucial to make up the numbers in the event of any “backdoor” plans to re-take Putrajaya.



In fact, according to the candid yet jovial Abang Jo, the focus and priority of everyone now should be on ensuring that the country’s political situation is stable so that the country’s economy can be restored and the people can enjoy prosperity.


The Sarawak premier also stressed that in the event the current government is changed after only one year in charge, then the country’s political situation will continue to be shaky, adding that if Anwar is replaced midterm, he fears that other attempts to change the government will ensue which ultimately will leave the people as the victims.


Abang Jo had made his GPS’ stance clearly known during a dialogue in a town hall session at the Hikmah Exchange recently while answering questions from the media; furthermore, he had also asserted that since Anwar has already been elected to lead the unity government, it's only fair to let him finish the parliament’s term.



Meanwhile, according to another news report, Abang Jo said he is also not in a position to assume the prime ministership, virtually putting to bed the earlier speculation that his coalition had sought the coveted post as a condition to help bring down the present government as part of the alleged Dubai Move; furthermore, the Sarawak premier added that he is not so “dumb” to take over the top post with GPS only having 23 MPs in parliament (thus he himself might end up being ousted prematurely)!


Besides, he said that claims of GPS being involved in any plot aimed at trying to overthrow the current government did not make much sense; as such, he reiterated that the coalition has pledged its support to the current unity government under Anwar.


Moreover, the Sarawak premier pointed out that GPS has never harboured any plans to seek independence, adding that its desire in trying to reclaim the state’s rights should not be misconstrued as wanting to leave Malaysia.



Incidentally, last December, just prior to Christmas, Abang Jo had met Anwar at Seri Perdana in Putrajaya, where he had reportedly given an assurance to the prime minister that his GPS coalition would not entertain any move to replace the current federal government; clearly, he has now followed that up with this latest “pledge” of its unwavering support for the unity government under Anwar and the desire to see it work and complete its full term.


Could all these repeated snubs from their former East Malaysian ally coupled with the imminent ascension to the throne of the new King (Agong) - who had already made it abundantly clear he would not tolerate any more political manoeuvrings during his reign - be the final nail in the coffin for PN’s grandiose ambitions?


Interestingly, could it also be the end of the road for the indefatigable Dr Mahathir, who during his long and controversial political career, had ruthlessly overseen the downfall of many of his foes?



Furthermore, with the spectre of a fixed-term parliament act (FTPA) hovering ominously above their heads, does the opposition still have enough fuel in the tank to launch, maybe, one last concerted attack to take down Anwar for good?


Or will they, at long last, accept the reality and get down to doing what they are supposed to be doing as a credible opposition, that is, to provide checks and balances to the government of the day - until the day they can push through a no-confidence motion against the prime minister and prove that they were right if ever it comes to that?