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KUCHING: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) said it switched its support from Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin because the former Prime Minister had been “indecisive”.

Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Openg (pic) said GPS had initially supported Dr Mahathir to lead the country again after he resigned from the top post.

However, because of Dr Mahathir’s indecisiveness over the next few days, culminating in the eleventh-hour move by Pakatan Harapan leaders to re-nominate him to lead a revived PH government, GPS announced its support for Muhyiddin, although it said it would stay out of the new coalition.

“At the same time, Sarawak’s interests are uppermost,” Abang Johari said during a working visit to Serikin in Bau, here, Sunday.

Asked if GPS had supported Muhyiddin because of a “better offer,” he replied: “I wouldn’t know.”

On Saturday, Abang Johari had said two blocs had been trying to get GPS’ support amid the political turmoil.

He said GPS would support any national coalition which agreed to pay the Sarawak sales tax on petroleum products and fulfil the State’s rights under Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

On Sarawak’s future relationship with the federal government, he said it was only fair to give Muhyiddin some time as he had just taken his oath as the country’s eighth Prime Minister.

Muhyiddin, 73, was sworn in Sunday morning at Istana Negara in front of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah.

The PPBM president is expected to head a new coalition government called Perikatan Nasional comprising PPBM, Umno, PAS and other MPs, including several ex-PKR MPs who followed Datuk Mohamed Azmin Ali out of the party. – FMT