KUCHING: Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abang Johari Abang Openg has voiced his support for retaining Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as the prime minister until the conclusion of the current parliamentary term.
This sentiment was conveyed during a town hall session with the Sarawak Premier at the Hikmah Exchange tonight.
Abang Johari said changing the prime minister midway before the end of the administration term could lead to further attempts to change the government.
Abang Johari said it was crucial to maintain stability in the country's politics for economic recovery and the well-being of the people.
"Since Anwar is already there (leading the unity government as the prime minister), let it be until the end. Because the government's principle, following the practice of democracy, is that when elections are held, whatever the decision, let it be until the end," he said.
Abang Johari said if the current government were to be changed after governing for only a year, he believed the country's politics would continue to be unsettled.
"After that, there will be all sorts of issues – `leaks in the roof', `coming through the windows', and maybe even (via the) `holes in the floor' later. In the end, the entire nation will be the victim," he said.
Therefore, he said Sarawak continues to maintain its stance to support the existing government to strengthen Malaysia's political stability.
He also expressed his surprise as to why the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) was associated with the Dubai Move when the party was completely unaware of it.
"A GPS leader, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan (Sarawak deputy premier), was in Dubai for vacation.
"He did not meet anyone there (as claimed). So how can GPS be implicated, including the claim that I will be chosen as the prime minister?" he said.
He also said GPS is aware of its position in Parliament, with only 23 members, and it would not be sustainable for him if chosen to lead the government formed due to the Dubai Move.
"With only 23 members of Parliament, there will certainly be pressure on me as well," he said.