IT’S official. The far right has entered Malaysia’s far east and they’re bringing their brand of divisive racial politics. What do you expect when the Sarawak government decided to commit “khalwat” with PAS, a party it likened to extremists in the past? It seems that the erection of a federal back-door government is far too enticing for GPS to resist that they didn’t care about ultra-religious and racial politics creeping into Sarawak through the rear entrance.

While GPS may not necessarily join the Perikatan Nasional poligamous marriage, their “open relationship” policy with them will lead to PAS growing in influence in the state. This is appalling news for an anak Sarawak such as myself. Although one of the oldest parties in the country, PAS’ struggles never entered the “Bumi Kenyalang” until 1986. After 34 years of setting up its first Sarawak branch in Bintulu, it is yet to have any notable foothold in the state. With zero state or parliamentary seats won, it goes to show that its struggles are not relevant in the state. Or rather, the people of Sarawak have made it loud and clear that they reject the extreme ideologies of PAS and racial politics.

Even SUPP, part of GPS, called for the Sarawak government to ban PAS president Hadi Awang from entering the state. In September last year, Hadi gave a hate speech in Bintulu that stirred racial tensions among harmonious Sarawakians. Then, why is GPS openly going to bed with Hadi and PAS? Why is GPS accepting someone who boldly claimed that Sarawak can only be ruled by a Bumiputera Muslim? This is an insult to the people of Sarawak. GPS leaders have shown their true colours. They are willing to sacrifice their principles and the will of the Sarawak people just for positions in an unelected back-door government.

Rumour has it that GPS coalition presidents were vying for the deputy prime minister post, but Muhyiddin Yassin instead abolished the position altogether. GPS leaders said their move is for the benefit of Sarawakians but remember, these are the same leaders that abstained from voting for amendment of Sarawak’s status in the constitution last year. A review of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 has been something the people of Sarawak has been asking for since 1974. Instead of driving the state forward, GPS instead chose to collude with Perikatan Nasional and accept PAS, a threat to Sarawak’s peaceful society. – March 12, 2020.

* Jamie S. reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight.