KUCHING: A Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) MP has indicated that the state coalition will support Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob as the prime minister candidate.

       Santubong MP Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said Ismail Sabri was a veteran who was well liked by many.

       “He has tremendous inside experience in dealing with Covid-19 for the past 17 months.

       “Most comments on how to handle the Covid-19 came from outside, without real knowledge of the many conflicting demands and wishes from inside.

       “Ismail Sabri, like the rest of the Perikatan Nasional Cabinet, has seen this and appreciates (the difficulties),” he said when contacted yesterday.

       However, GPS chairman and Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, declined to confirm that Ismail Sabri was the coalition’s choice, pending an announcement from Istana Negara.

       “I cannot reveal (the name), I cannot pre-empt the Yang di-Pertuan Agong,” he told reporters after meeting GPS MPs at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly complex here yesterday ahead of the 4pm deadline to submit their nominee to the palace.

       Abang Johari also said GPS was not asked to back PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for the prime minister’s post.

       “No, he did not,” the Chief Minister said when asked if Anwar or Pakatan Harapan had reached out to GPS for support in the current search for a new premier.

       GPS parliamentary chief whip Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof also declined to reveal the name nominated by the state coalition.

       “We leave it to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Wait for him to announce,” the Petra Jaya MP said.

       GPS, which has 18 MPs, comprising Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu, Sarawak United People’s Party, Parti Rakyat Sarawak and Progressive Democratic Party, had supported Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s Perikatan Nasional federal administration.

       Separately, local opposition party Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB), which has two MPs, said the next prime minister should be from Pakatan as the coalition had been elected in the 14th general election.

       “Pakatan still carries the mandate of the rakyat, and on this ground, PSB will maintain its stand to support Pakatan, which is the choice of the people,” party president Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh said.

       If Pakatan leader Anwar was not chosen, he said PSB would support Parti Warisan Sabah president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal as an alternative candidate.

       “The rationale is that it will be the first time in the history of Malaysia that someone from Sabah/Sarawak becomes the leader of this nation.

       “This is an opportunity not to be missed,” he said, adding that a candidate from the region would fulfil the dreams of Sarawak and Sabah to restore their eroded rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963.