Tensions within the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) coalition have flared anew after Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) president Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing issued a stern rebuke to Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) president Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian over the contentious appointment of community leaders.
In a strongly worded statement on Feb 2, Tiong accused Dr Sim of deliberately provoking PDP by proceeding with a second appointment ceremony for community and longhouse heads in Sibu, despite PDP having already made its objections known publicly. The ceremony, he said, was scheduled just two days after he had outlined his party’s stance, a move he viewed as an intentional challenge.
According to Tiong, the decision crossed what he described as PDP’s “red lines”, warning that such actions amounted to a direct invitation to open conflict within the ruling coalition. He questioned how advancing the programme in the face of clear objections could be interpreted as anything other than provocation.
“If we are not welcome here, there are other places. But we will not accept our red lines being tested and trampled on time and again,” he said, stressing that political cooperation requires mutual respect. In any coalition government, restraint and consultation are often seen as essential to maintaining unity, particularly in a state as politically diverse as Sarawak.
Tiong further alleged an abuse of authority, claiming that some longhouse heads were pressured to attend the SUPP-led ceremony under threat that their appointments could otherwise be withdrawn. He raised concerns over whether such actions were being justified as routine administrative matters when, in his view, they carried clear political undertones.
He also took aim at Dr Sim in his capacity as Sarawak’s deputy premier, questioning the priorities behind the move. Tiong suggested that time and resources were being spent on activities designed to generate favourable publicity, rather than addressing more urgent issues facing the state.
“Is the deputy premier so free? Has Sarawak truly run out of serious matters that deserve his time and attention?” he asked. Observers note that public disputes among senior leaders can erode confidence in governance if left unchecked.
Concluding his remarks, Tiong delivered a pointed warning to his coalition partner, urging Dr Sim to halt actions that could further inflame tensions. “Stop playing with fire. Politics is not a game, and institutions are not tools to be tested at will. If this continues, I will not back down,” he said.
PDP and SUPP remain partners within GPS, united by shared governance at the state level, but their relationship has been increasingly strained by disagreements over seat allocations and areas of influence. Such internal rivalries are not uncommon ahead of major elections, when parties seek to consolidate their ground.
The friction has intensified since PDP absorbed former Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) members, leading to overlapping claims and disputes in constituencies such as Sibu, Dudong and Bawang Assan. With the next Sarawak state election due by April next year at the latest, analysts expect political manoeuvring within the coalition to intensify in the months ahead.
