KUCHING: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), a coalition formed by four local parties has launched its logo - a black and red hornbill on a white background.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Abang Openg said the protected species represents the spirit of the founding parties in protecting Sarawak.
“It’s a historical moment as we reveal our logo of a coalition formed by Sarawakians, which will be leading and developing Sarawak in the new era,” he said.
“It is a hornbill design - a protected species, just like how we will continue to protect our state and our rights listed under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63),” he added.
Speaking at the launch of the logo at the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera (PBB) headquarters, here, yesterday, Abang Johari, who is also GPS chairman said the black colour on the hornbill symbolises the pillar of the coalition to uphold its objectives while the red mirrors the supremacy of the constitution.
“It (hornbill) is flying on a white background which represents the fairness of the Rule of Law,” he said.
The PBB president also pledged to continue to take care of the interests, welfare and wellbeing of all Sarawakians, regardless of race and religion.
GPS, comprising PBB, Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS), Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) and the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP), was approved by the Registrar of Societies (RoS) in November last year.
The four parties quit Barisan Nasional (BN) in a bid to better represent Sarawak after Pakatan Harapan (PH) took over the Federal Government.
Abang Johari also thanked the Federal Government, particularly Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin for approving the application of GPS as a political entity in Sarawak.
Meanwhile, GPS secretary-general Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi said the GPS coalition will be officially launched on Jan 19.
"We expect to use the hornbill logo in the next state election. But, we will have to apply to the Election Comission (EC) first,” he said.
When asked if they newly formed coalition has received any applications from other local parties or organisations, Alexander said this could only be done after the launch.
“We can only do it (receive application) after we are officially launched. Then, we will discuss and decide among the four founding members.
"It will be on a case by case basis,” he explained.
He added that GPS will not send invitations to any parties to be part of the coalition, instead, any interested parties were welcomed to apply.