GPS knows the game, analyst says on attempts to link it to BN

Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) is unlikely to entertain attempts by pro-Barisan Nasional (BN) cybertroopers to portray the coalitions as having close political ties, an analyst says.

National Council of Professors fellow Jeniri Amir said GPS leaders were aware of attempts by certain quarters to shape public perception, particularly ahead of the state elections in Melaka and Sarawak as well as the 16th general election (GE16).

He said GPS had no need to forge an alliance with BN, at either the state or federal level, and should instead maintain its neutral position to avoid any misconceptions about its relationship with other parties.

“I believe GPS leaders are aware of what they are doing and understand the game being played by cybertroopers who are trying to give the public such an impression,” he told FMT.

Last week, several pro-BN social media accounts posted pictures of deputy prime minister Fadillah Yusof with Melaka chief minister Ab Rauf Yusoh, linking the meeting to GPS’s decision to contest the Sarawak election on its own without cooperating with Pakatan Harapan (PH).

However, Fadillah, who is also the energy transition and water transformation minister, clarified that his visit to Melaka was for official ministry business, to officiate the CGNEI 2026 Gas Turbine Power Generation Conference in Kuala Sungai Baru, Alor Gajah.

Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) information chief Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah previously reiterated that GPS would contest the Sarawak polls independently, without an electoral pact with any party from Peninsular Malaysia, although it would continue cooperating within the unity government.

Jeniri said GPS’s position as an independent local coalition capable of making its own decisions was important, particularly ahead of GE16, when the Sabah and Sarawak blocs are expected to play a significant role in determining the formation of the federal government.

He also stressed the importance of maintaining stability in the unity government until the end of its term to ensure that the government’s development agenda and Sarawak’s demands under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 could be fulfilled.

Academy of Sciences Malaysia fellow Jayum Jawan said GPS’s relationship with coalitions in Peninsular Malaysia depended largely on which side held power in Putrajaya.

He said history showed that PBB and the coalition it led were not permanently aligned with any party, pointing to the aftermath of BN’s defeat in the 2018 general election, when PBB left the coalition and formed GPS.

“PBB and the coalition it leads operate on the understanding that there are no permanent friends. What matters is who holds power, as there is no benefit in supporting a losing side,” he said.

Jayum said if BN and Umno returned to power after GE16, GPS could potentially leave PH and resume cooperation with the coalition. The reverse would be true if PH remained in government, he added.

However, he said BN’s attempts to project its influence in Sarawak might not have a significant impact on voters, given that the coalition had no branches, members or grassroots machinery in the state.

Jayum said social media campaigns were more likely to reach urban voters, while most Sarawak voters lived in rural and semi-urban areas, where everyday livelihood concerns took priority.

“National issues are less effective. What matters more are bread-and-butter issues such as livelihoods, roads, water and electricity supply,” he said.

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