Lim Guan Eng Apologises to Sarawak, Calls for Fresh Start as Malaysia Forms Unity Government

On Thursday, 24 November 2022, Anthony Loke, the secretary-general of Malaysia's Democratic Action Party, flew to Kuching and called on Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Abang Openg at his residence. Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian was there too. Loke had come to say sorry, in person, on behalf of his party.

The apology was set up by one from DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng, who publicly regretted past remarks that may have offended the Sarawak premier and the state's ruling coalition, Gabungan Parti Sarawak, or GPS. Lim framed it as a matter of priorities. The future of the country, he said, mattered more, and he called for a fresh start in which parties cooperate to preserve the diversity, inclusiveness and unity of a multi-racial, multi-cultural society, and to protect the Federal Constitution for people in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak alike.

Loke repeated the message in a Facebook post. He said he had told the premier that if any previous statements by DAP leaders had offended the Sarawak government and its people, he apologised openly, representing DAP. He added that he hoped the meeting with GPS leaders would open a new page in Malaysian politics and build greater understanding and cooperation for the nation's sake.

The urgency came from the arithmetic of the 15th General Election. Neither Pakatan Harapan, led by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, nor Perikatan Nasional, led by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, reached the simple majority of 112 seats in Parliament. The result was a hung parliament, and the outreach to Sarawak's ruling bloc was part of an effort to break the deadlock with people who had until recently been opponents.

Malaysia's King had already said he wanted a strong government that is more inclusive in terms of race, religion and region. UMNO, the leading component party of Barisan Nasional, unanimously decided to follow the King's direction that BN support and join a unity government not led by Perikatan Nasional. Perikatan's secretary-general, Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin, issued a statement the same day saying the coalition would consider suggestions to form a unity government with like-minded parties, for the people and for national stability.

In Sarawak, the reception was warm. As reported by the Borneo Post, Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, the state's Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, called Loke's trip magnanimous, especially coming from a big national party that sent its leader down to see the premier. He said Lim had done the right thing in apologising, because his statements had offended Sarawakians, and he believed the gesture would go a long way toward mending a relationship strained over the years.

Later that day, at 5 pm, the King formally announced Anwar Ibrahim as Malaysia's 10th Prime Minister, and Anwar was sworn in. What remains to be seen is whether the goodwill expressed in Kuching translates into durable cooperation between DAP and GPS inside the new unity government.