A Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) assemblyman has publicly criticised GPS vice-chairman and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) president Tiong King Sing for appearing at a Pakatan Harapan (PH) campaign event in Johor ahead of the upcoming state election.
Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap said it was inappropriate for a senior GPS leader to promote Sarawak’s “Sarawak First” agenda while simultaneously supporting political campaigns outside the state involving PH.
According to reports, Yap warned that such actions could send mixed messages to Sarawak voters and grassroots supporters regarding GPS’ political position and priorities.
“We cannot champion a ‘Sarawak First’ agenda at home while strengthening the political machinery of PH elsewhere. Principles should not change according to geography or political convenience.
“Consistency is what earns the trust and confidence of the people,” he said.
The Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) assistant treasurer also pointed out that this was not the first time Tiong had appeared alongside PH leaders, claiming the Bintulu MP had similarly campaigned during the Sabah state election in November last year.
Yap argued that repeated political differences between PDP and SUPP could further confuse GPS supporters.
“It is difficult to reconcile calls to support PH in Johor or Sabah when parties within the same coalition continue to challenge GPS and SUPP in Sarawak,” he said.
The controversy erupted after photographs and videos of Tiong attending a PH ceramah in Johor circulated online, drawing attention from political observers and party supporters.
However, GPS lynchpin Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) sought to downplay the issue, insisting that Tiong attended the event in a personal capacity.
PBB information chief Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah stressed that GPS remains consistent in its long-standing position of not participating in election campaigns outside Sarawak.
“Tiong’s presence had nothing to do with GPS,” he said.
Meanwhile, Tiong’s appearance at the event was welcomed by PH leaders, with Amanah Youth leader Muammar Qaddafi Nasir claiming it demonstrated support from prominent Borneo political figures for PH’s campaign efforts in Johor.
The incident has since sparked debate among political observers over whether individual appearances by GPS leaders at events organised by other coalitions could affect public perceptions of the Sarawak-based alliance’s neutrality and political identity.
