KUCHING: A deputy prime minister should be picked from Sarawak or Sabah in recognition of the Borneo states' contribution to forming a new government and stabilising Malaysian politics, says Tan Sri James Masing.

       In particular, the Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister said, the new Federal administration should acknowledge the role of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) by giving the post to Sarawak.

       "Twice, GPS' 18 MPs helped to form the government – Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's Perikatan Nasional government and now possibly Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob's government.

       "For what the GPS MPs did, Sarawak wants Putrajaya to acknowledge their role in forming the government by giving us a DPM position," he said in a statement on Thursday (Aug 19).

       Masing, who is Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president, said two deputy prime minister positions should be created to accommodate one from the peninsula-based parties and one from Sarawak and Sabah.

       "This will be history in the making. Ever since the formation of Malaysia, the two Borneo states were never acknowledged by Putrajaya for their contribution to make it possible to establish Malaysia as a nation," he added.

       GPS, which comprises Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu, Sarawak United People's Party, PRS and Progressive Democratic Party, had supported Muhyiddin's Perikatan Nasional federal administration.

       The state ruling coalition's MPs were among 114 Federal lawmakers summoned to meet the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on Thursday to confirm their choice of candidate for prime minister.

       Only MPs nominating Ismail Sabri were invited for the audience with the King.