GPS hits back at Violet Yong for criticising Abang Jo

Tupong assemblyman Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman said it is arrogant for Pending assemblyman Violet Yong to disregard Abang Johari Openg’s impact on Sarawakians and the effectiveness of his policies.

PETALING JAYA: A Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) lawmaker has  backed premier Abang Johari Openg after he was criticised by a state Pakatan Harapan (PH) rep over a lighthearted comment he made while on Khairy Jamaluddin’s Keluar Sekejap podcast recently.

Tupong assemblyman Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman said Pending assemblyman Violet Yong should have paid more attention to the programme.

He even called her out as being “arrogant” for disregarding Abang Johari’s impact on ordinary Sarawakians.

“While it may be difficult for Sarawak PH leaders to listen to the achievements of the state government, they should listen to the podcast in its entirety.

“They should not just take soundbites to twist the facts and get things out of context,” he said in a statement.

Yong, the Sarawak DAP organising secretary, had slammed Abang Johari for saying that her party and PKR do not exist in the state due to GPS’s dominance.

“That’s an arrogant statement from Abang Jo which is completely uncalled for,” she told FMT.

Abang Johari made the lighthearted quip during a recent episode of the Keluar Sekejap podcast. Speaking to Khairy, the Sarawak premier confirmed that GPS intends to contest all 82 seats at the next state election.

According to Fazzrudin, Abang Johari meant collaboration between GPS and other federal government parties, including PH, does not exist in Sarawak.

“It is arrogant for Yong to disregard Abang Johari’s impact on Sarawakians and the effectiveness of his policies.

“It is also arrogant of her to discredit Sarawakians exercising their democratic rights to support GPS when she said DAP constituents were only doing the same,” he said.

Meanwhile, Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB)’s youth wing Pemuda added that Abang Johari’s comments were “twisted by irresponsible parties with vested interests”.

“The discussion at that time was about the relationship between parties in the federal government and the Sarawak government.

“The political situation in Sarawak is different compared with the peninsula, and issues of political instability do not arise in Sarawak,” Pemuda said in a statement, adding that GPS is committed to stability and continued close cooperation with Putrajaya.