Sabah politics stable with GRS formalised
Published on: Saturday, March 19, 2022
By: Larry Ralon
Hajiji (second right), Maximus (centre), Jeffrey (right) and Yong (second left) giving thumbs-up while showing the GRS new logo while Joniston (left) looks on.
Kota Kinabalu: The formalisation of GRS is a first in Sabah politics as it unites four parties to ensure political stability in the State even if Barisan Nasional is not included as it (BN) remains an ally and part of the State Government.“We hope that now that we have this coalition, we can strengthen further the collaboration and unity among us for the sake of Sabah.
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“This political collaboration is very crucial for us to face challenges in future,” said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Haji Noor, who is also Gabungan Rakyat Sabah Chairman, Friday.
He was speaking at a press conference after chairing the first meeting of the GRS Protem Committee at Sabah Bersatu headquarters in Alamesra, Friday.
He said GRS, which was approved by the Registrar of Societies (RoS) on March 11, would be launched at the end of May. GRS currently comprises Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) Sabah, Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star) and Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP), while Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) continue as partners in the GRS State Government.
GRS was previously a loose political coalition formed by Perikatan Nasional (PN), BN and PBS which toppled the then Warisan-Plus state government in the 16th State General Election (PRN16) in 2020.
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Hajiji would continue as GRS Chairman while PBS President Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili, Star President Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan and SAPP President Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee as Deputy Presidents.
The Vice Presidents would be known during the GRS second meeting while Sabah Bersatu Deputy Chief Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun as the GRS Sec-Gen, PBS Sec-Gen Datuk Joniston Bangkuai as GRS Information Chief and Ardino Dilis (Star) as the GRS Treasurer-General.
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Datuk Rubin Balang, Dato’ Sri Ruddy Awah and Edward Dagul were named Supreme Council Members (AMT) as they were involved in setting up the coalition.
“We will fill up the GRS leadership structure in the near future and will announce it during the next meeting,” said Hajiji.
The new logo for GRS was also unveiled during the press conference and may be used in the next general election.
The meeting also discussed preparations to face GE which could be held anytime this year or early next year. “GRS is ready to face GE,” he said.
On Umno, Hajiji said they are together with BN in governing Sabah, because Umno and BN are collaborating with GRS in administering the State presently.
“In our official coalition (GRS) now we only have four political parties, while Umno, BN is our friend in the GRS State Government,” he said.
On whether GRS is ready to accept other political parties, Hajiji said insya-Allah they would give consideration to the applications from parties which applied to join GRS.
“Apart from Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat (KDM), we also received an application from Usno which was the first to apply to join GRS early last year. So we will discuss it,” he said.
On Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (Pas), Hajiji who is also Perikatan Nasional (PN) Sabah Chairman said PAS is already in PN.
On the ongoing tussle between Bersatu and Umno in the peninsula and whether it would affect Sabah, Hajiji said politics is about possibilities.
“To me, what happened in the peninsula recently, including at the Malacca and Johor State Elections (PRN), are not the same as the political situation in Sabah.
“They are in the peninsula and we are in Sabah, East Malaysian region. The political culture and mindset in Sabah is a bit different from there (West Malaysia).
“What happened in the peninsula, to us, will not have a damaging impact on the political situation in Sabah, especially to GRS,” said Hajiji.
Hajiji also said the GRS State Government supports the call for more parliamentary seats to be created for Sabah and Sarawak and would pursue the matter.
He was asked on Ongkili’s suggestion in the Dewan Rakyat Thursday that Sabah and Sarawak members of parliament discuss the demand (for more parliamentary seats be created for Sabah and Sarawak) and take it up with the Election Commission (EC) for further action.
On the fire which destroyed more than 500 squatter dwellings in Tawau Thursday, Hajiji said the Government would find a way to assist the victims.
He said the Welfare Department and Tawau Municipal Council had been directed to take action or give early assistance to the victims.
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