He said even though GPS, comprising Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) and Parti Demokratik Progresif (PDP), was not part of BN, the two coalitions have a long history.
“We understand one another, we understand the aspirations of Sarawakians. We are more understanding of the relationship despite our differences now but we are still similar,” he said at a media conference after officiating the Selangau section of the Sarawak Pan Borneo Highway here today.
Ismail said GPS MPs had shown they were prepared to be with BN MPs in the opposition after GE14 and joined the government formed by BN, together with Bersatu and PAS, in February 2020.
“When I was the opposition head, GPS was with us. They did not join PH then. This means we are always together. When we formed the government, GPS also joined us. I am sure the relationship will continue,” he said.
Ismail said that even if the victory is based on a simple majority, the government will remain stable due to the enforcement of the anti-party hopping law.
“It is different now compared with before. In the past, the simple majority was very dangerous because there was still the possibility of party-hopping.
“Now with the anti-party hopping law, after winning, no one can defect from one party to another. If they do, they have to vacate the seat and contest again,” he said.
Ismail said Budget 2023, which was tabled on Oct 7, is likely to be re-tabled with improvements if BN is given the mandate to lead the government after GE15.
He said most of the BN manifesto for GE15 revolved around the budget.
“There is also a possibility that (Budget 2023) will be improved. We will see after the polls. The important thing is that we have to win first,” he said.
Sarawak remains a priority
In his speech, Ismail gave an assurance that Sarawak will remain his priority as long as he leads the government after GE15.
He said this priority also meant taking into account the issue of allocations which would be channelled to the state, adding that Sarawak still needed a lot of help in terms of allocations for its development.
“In terms of commitment to look after Sarawak, nothing compares to the BN government,” he said.
He said the Cabinet that he led before GE15 had decided to resume federal projects which were previously cancelled by the PH government, taking the example of the Selangau section under Phase 2 of the Sarawak Pan Borneo Highway project.
The other major development projects which were cancelled by PH but resumed by his government are the Trans-Borneo Highway, which passes through Brunei, and the Sabah-Sarawak Link Road project, which bypasses Brunei.
Ismail said assistance for Sarawak to improve the infrastructure of dilapidated schools and rural clinics in the state would also continue, in addition to setting a target for the entire state to have internet access within two years.