Kota Kinabalu: Gerakan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) Secretary-General Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun downplayed a GRS component’s recent statement on member-pinching within the coalition.
“We have been hearing this for a long time,” he said when met at the Ranau Mara Junior Science College (MRSM) hand-over ceremony, here, Monday.
“Human beings are intelligent…it would be hard to say someone is grabbed by another party, unless (they joined other parties) under their own accord.”
Nevertheless, he assured that the issue would be given attention.
“This is a small matter happening in Malaysia’s political scene. It is not something new.
“It is not surprising to see someone with memberships with four different parties. I do not know his or her motivations, but surely it is not surprising,” he said.
While admitting that it is “normal” in Sabah, Masidi said it would not cause divergence within the GRS coalition.
Earlier, Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) Vice President Datuk Ruslan Muharam reportedly lamented the actions of a few parties in GRS pinching members of fellow components, which may cause division in GRS.
Ruslan also claimed the action involved “bribing” other party members, especially branch heads, with positions to entice them.
He said it is best to stop stealing members from coalition partners and focus on the participation of non-party individuals or even opposing party members.
Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) Chairman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin said such actions are immoral and lack integrity.
He claimed such activities are happening in all 73 State constituencies.
“For me, this is not right, immoral, no integrity and has no confidence in their struggle,” he said in a Facebook post.
