KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 24): DAP secretary general Anthony Loke Siew Fook has publicly apologised to Sarawak premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, more popularly known as Abang Jo, for any statements by party leaders in the past that may have offended the state government and people in the state.

Loke said in a Facebook post that he visited the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) chairman’s residence in Kuching on Thursday morning (Nov 24), together with deputy premier Professor Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian, and the discussion was cordial.

“I have informed YAB Premier that if there was any statement ever made by any DAP leader that offended the government and people of Sarawak, I represent DAP to apologise publicly,” said Loke.

“I hope today’s meeting will open a new chapter to build understanding and collaboration for a more advanced and progressive Malaysia,” he added.

Pakatan Harapan (PH), of which DAP is a component party, is in the midst of securing majority support from Members of Parliament to form the next Government, and GPS is holding 23 seats in the Dewan Rakyat.

DAP is widely seen to be a stumbling block for GPS to throw its support to PH to form the Federal Government because at the state level, DAP is the opposition in Sarawak, which is currently governed by GPS.

PH, whose prime minister candidate is the coalition's chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, is now in an electoral pact with Muda, and has recently secured support from Warisan, bringing the number of parliamentary seats under its control to 85.

Barisan Nasional, which won 30 seats in the 15th general election (GE15), on Wednesday night announced that it will not support a Government spearheaded by Perikatan Nasional, a political bloc that controls 73 seats and led by former PM Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

Get our comprehensive GE15 coverage here.