GRS reaffirms cooperation with BN

Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) has reaffirmed that it would be cooperating with BN in the upcoming parliamentary election.

This was decided during the GRS leadership meeting in Kota Kinabalu yesterday, according to The Vibes, citing coalition leader and Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Mohd Noor.

Hajiji (above) did not specify how the 26 parliamentary constituencies in Sabah and Labuan would be divided among BN and GRS.

"But in the GRS meeting, we stressed our cooperation with BN and this has already been decided," he said.

Prior to the dissolution of Parliament, GRS had seven MPs which included five who defected from Umno to Bersatu.

GRS is a formally registered political party which acts as an umbrella for Sabah Bersatu, Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star), Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), United Sabah National Organisation (Usno) and Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP).

Although Umno and Bersatu national leaders are openly hostile to each other, their respective Sabah chapters enjoy relatively good relations.

They are governing the state together and all signs point to a pact for the 15th general election (GE15).

On Oct 4, BN chairperson and Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said he had secured GRS' commitment to "support" BN candidates.

"I've had discussions with the GRS leadership and they affirmed that they will support all BN candidates.

"We appreciate this and hope it can be realised when the time comes," said Zahid.

During a visit to Sabah last Tuesday, Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin conceded the political situation in Sabah was different.

Muhyiddin said the party's national leadership would allow the Sabah chapter to determine its local alliances.

Sabah is unique

"The state government (is formed by parties) that can cooperate and have an understanding although (their parties) are not on the same page at the national level.

"Here, the situation is unique and special," said Muhyiddin, according to Utusan Borneo.

Presently, the Sabah government comprises of 30 members from GRS and 17 from BN. Should BN withdraw, the GRS-led government would collapse.

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