Anwar Ibrahim snubbed in Sarawak

(The New Sarawak) – Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Openg reportedly snubbed Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who had reached out to the former for support to topple the Perikatan Nasional government, according to a news portal.

The Malaysian Insight reported that Anwar had wanted Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), which has 18 MPs, to back his bid to become the country’s eighth Prime Minister, according to The Malaysian Insight.

Anwar reportedly took a chartered flight to meet Abang Johari, but the latter refused to see him. It is not clear what was the excuse given.

“Why Anwar bothered to come, I don’t know. We all know what GPS’ terms and conditions are (on whom to align with), and there is no way Anwar can get GPS to support him.

“For a start, GPS has two non-negotiable conditions – no DAP, no Anwar as prime minister,” a GPS source told the portal.

In February, Abang Johari had said that it would not back a coalition with the DAP as a member, although GPS supported PN, which comprised PAS, a party it had bitterly opposed in the past.

Had Anwar been successful in wooing GPS, he would have at least 114 MPs on his side, slightly more than the minimum 112 to stake his claim for the premiership.

The sources said Anwar’s Sarawak trip was a hushed affair, with no PKR leaders aware of it.