SIBU: The spirit of inclusiveness among its component parties will propel Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) to win all 31 parliamentary seats at stake in the 15th General Election (GE15).

       Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said on Sunday (April 24) that the four parties, namely Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS), Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP), will also be at the forefront of the state's push to achieve developed status and be a high-income economy by 2030.

       Johari, who is GPS president, said just like in the Dec 8 state election, the four parties will "row the boat with the same rhythm" towards the 2030 development agenda.

       "If we row together in the same rhythm, the boat will go faster. If we don't, we will rock the boat and it will sink. If we row together, there is inclusivity," he said.

       "Political stability is important and we must also safeguard unity.

       "So for GPS in GE15, we must win all the parliamentary seats in Sarawak.

       "We have to recapture Selangau, Lubok Antu, Julau and Sri Aman. We will work together. PBB helps PDP, PDP helps PRS, and PRS helps SUPP," he said at the launch of PRS' fifth triennial delegates conference here.

       He added that GPS was ready for the election but preferred to keep its preparations to itself for the moment.

       "We don't know when the election will be but we in GPS are always ready, just like in the last state election.

       "We are ready but 'secara diam-diam' (staying quiet). No need to tell the whole world about it. We just continue to work for the people," he said.

       According to Johari, GPS' ambition to hold all the parliamentary seats means it just wants the state's voice to be heard – not because it aims to be a kingmaker that decides who rules the country.

       On women candidates for the election, Johari said he was leaving it to the component parties to decide their numbers.

       In his speech, PRS president Datuk Joseph Salang said he wanted the state government to look into the imbalance in positions and posts in the state civil service as there are few Dayaks in high positions.

       "PRS would like to suggest that GPS seriously look into ways to improve Dayak participation to reflect the composition of Sarawak," he said, adding that there was a need for more transparency in public sector recruitment.