HISTORY was created in Sabah on May 28 with the official launch of Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) as a new platform and local political alignment to unite local political parties and people of Sabah.
GRS consists five parties – Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) Sabah, Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star), Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) and United Sabah National Organisation (Usno).
Officiating the launch at Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) in Kota Kinabalu, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, who is also GRS Chairman, said GRS is a local political alignment that has become a local formula for uniting the people to face the new political landscape of the country.
“As GRS was built on the people’s mandate, the registration of GRS as an official political entity on March 11, 2022 is also a manifestation of the people’s aspirations.
“The grassroots want us to unite in a local platform to boost the value and meaning of our struggles in the local and national political arena,” he said.
Hajiji said as a local formula, the presence of the national political component in the GRS is subject to the agenda, core and principles of the GRS.
“Commitment to this local formula is also maintained by the provisions of the law on the formation of a party which stipulates that the GRS leadership is determined through local consensus, namely the agreement of the GRS component parties.
“We will move and act on the basis of the local formula and every GRS member must adhere to the agenda, thrusts, principles and the GRS Constitution as well as uphold the supremacy of the State Constitution and the Federal Constitution,” he said.
Hajiji said GRS started with the people’s mandate in the last election and based on that fact “we will continue our commitment to implement the Sayangi Sabah Agenda, or the Sabah First, which is enshrined in the GRS AkuJanji (pledge) that we have offered as the last 16th State Election (PRN16) Manifesto.
“Our commitment has been translated into the alignment of the Sayangi Sabah Agenda and the GRS AkuJanji in the state development plan document, the Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ), which was launched on March 29, 2021, exactly six months after we obtained the people’s mandate,” he said.
He said with GRS now an official political entity, the implementation of the Sayangi Sabah Agenda will be added value through the four thrusts of the GRS struggle which are Sabah First; Sabah Forward; Sabah Prosper; and Sabah United.
Sabah First involves a two-pronged goal that not only places the rights and interests of Sabah at the top but also to shift Sabah’s status to the top position in various aspects of development.
“Sabah First does not mean that we set aside national interest, but as a local platform, our great trust and responsibility is to fight for the State’s interests as the number one priority.
“We are confident and believe, as one of the important components of the country, the goal of building a more developed and successful Sabah must be raised as a national agenda to ensure the prosperity and sustainability of the Federation of Malaysia,” he said.
He said Sabah First would be used to follow closely every matter in a series of consultations that are in full swing through various platforms and coordinated under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) Special Council Meeting.
“We work as a team and the Deputy Chief Ministers are also directly involved in the Working Committees that were formed. Besides, we are fortunate because the leader from Sabah itself, namely Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Johnity Ongkili, is directly responsible for monitoring and following up on the implementation of the MA63 Special Council at the Federal-level.
“We will continue to fight, not just the implementation of the entire rights and interests contained in the Federal Constitution, but also the rights and interests present and guaranteed within the MA63.
“Our stand is that the spirit and principles of MA63 are always alive and relevant to this day and the future. Alhamdulillah, a lot of progress has been achieved and we are confident that the Malaysian Family approach would address the legacy issues that surround State and Federal relations,” he said.
The second thrust, Sabah Forward, is important to shape thinking, direct perspective and lead action strategically and focused on taking Sabah forward, building the future of the State.
Hajiji said the struggle was a long journey inherited from the pioneer fighters.
“We stand on that trust and responsibility. We must ensure that every step that is arranged propels us forward towards progress and prosperity.
“Let us not be shackled by prolonged political rhetoric that does not get us anywhere. Don’t let the romantic history alone because it will take us far backward.
“The realisation that Sabah is far behind will not get us anywhere if it is not translated with repentance and implementing change. Attitudes, actions, time and all available resources must be focused and directed forward in order to build a legacy of progress to be enjoyed and inherited by future generations.
The third thrust, Sabah Prosper, is defined by the seriousness and commitment of GRS to implement and succeed the Sayangi Sabah Agenda through the Hala Tuju SMJ.
“We are aware that because of the people’s acceptance of the Hala Tuju SMJ, which is based on the slogan of the state coat of arms, there are parties who try to create a negative perception by highlighting certain issues to deny the significance of the SMJ.
