KUCHING: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) will support Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob as its choice for prime minister, says one of its MPs.

       Santubong MP Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar (pic) said Ismail Sabri was a veteran leader and 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 pandemic 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 on Wednesday (Aug 18).

       Wan Junaidi, who is a PBB supreme council member, added that the esprit de corps in Perikatan Nasional had developed well.

       GPS, which has 18 MPs, is the ruling state coalition comprising PBB, Sarawak United People's Party, Parti Rakyat Sarawak and Progressive Democratic Party, and had supported Muhyiddin's Perikatan Nasional federal administration.

       Umno's top leadership is expected to announce its pick soon, but sources have indicated that Barisan and Umno are expected to endorse Umno vice-president Ismail Sabri as their choice for prime minister.