Kota Kinabalu: Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) on Thursday reaffirmed its stance that Sabah-based parties should be the main pillar in leading the Sabah Government, to ensure leadership that truly understands the realities, culture and needs of the people in the State.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, who is also Chairman of GRS, said it adheres to the principle that Sabah should be governed by local parties, while not disregarding the role and importance of national parties within a broader political cooperation framework.
“If the final decision of Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) is to work together in the coming State Election, then GRS is prepared to contest solo and focus on collaboration with other like-minded local parties,” he said in a statement.
Hajiji, who is also the Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) President, stressed that any deviation from this principle would be seen as an act that neglects the aspirations of the majority of Sabahans.
“What GRS is fighting for is political stability and the wellbeing of the people for the future of Sabah,” he added.
His remarks follow joint statements by PH and BN leaders signalling an intent to cooperate in seat negotiations, citing the need for political stability and continuity with the federal unity government.
According to Hajiji, the current State Government must continue to be strengthened as it brings stability and represents a form of cooperation that contributes to the strength of the Unity Government at the Federal level.
He said sidelining local aspirations within the context of Sabah politics is not in line with grassroots sentiments.
As such, Hajiji said GRS would convene a leadership meeting soon to determine the coalition’s direction ahead of the next State Election.
“GRS will also hold formal discussions with parties currently forming the State Government to seek their views and stance,” he added.
