PETALING JAYA: Parti Cinta Sabah (PCS) has been officially accepted into Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), making it the eighth component party in the ruling coalition.
GRS secretary-general Masidi Manjun said the other component parties unanimously agreed to accept PCS’s application, made by its president Anifah Aman, Sinar Harian reported.
“The inclusion of PCS, a local party, is an important step in further strengthening the unity and political cohesion in Sabah,” Masidi said in a statement.
He added that in line with the “Sabah First” principle, GRS is now stronger and ready to face challenges to ensure the welfare and prosperity of Sabahans.
Other parties in GRS are Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah, Parti Bersatu Sabah, Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku, Sabah Progressive Party, United Sabah National Organisation, Liberal Democratic Party and Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah.
In a statement, Anifah expressed his gratitude to Sabah chief minister and GRS chairman Hajiji Noor, as well as the coalition’s other leaders, for accepting PCS.
He said PCS will work hard to ensure that GRS continues to strengthen its position as a political bloc which can effectively represent Sabahans of all ethnicities and beliefs.
Anifah added that as a local Sabah party, it is in PCS’s political DNA to champion the rights and best interests of the state and its people.
“PCS shares the same vision and mission with GRS for Sabah and Sabahans. After all, we are a local Sabah party, and naturally, we see our home in GRS – which is a truly local entity that Sabahans have long envisioned for,” he said.
“We share the coalition’s ‘Sabah First’ principle, which is a two-pronged approach, putting the rights and interests of Sabah as the top priorities and placing importance on the various developments needed in Sabah.”
In February, 2023, Anifah was appointed as a special adviser on foreign affairs to Hajiji.
