Hajiji has no legitimacy to stay on as GRS chairperson – Ronald

Beluran MP Ronald Kiandee said that Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor no longer has the legitimacy to remain as Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) chairperson.

Ronald (above) attributed this to Hajiji’s recent move to leave Bersatu.

“I affirm that Hajiji Noor, who was appointed as the GRS chairperson in his capacity as Sabah Bersatu chairperson before, no longer has the legitimacy to remain as GRS chairperson, due to his decision to leave Bersatu.

“Therefore, his membership in GRS is now only as an individual member and his position as GRS chairperson must be decided again by GRS’ supreme council,” said the Bersatu vice president, in a statement today.

Citing clause 6.1 (II) of the GRS’ constitution, Ronald highlighted that Bersatu remains a valid member of the GRS coalition.

He claimed that as such, the memorandum of agreement (MOA) inked between the various political coalitions supporting the Pakatan Harapan-led federal government – also signed by Hajiji in his capacity as GRS chairperson - was invalid.

Previously, Hajiji and several other Sabah Bersatu leaders decided to leave the party but remain under the GRS banner.

GRS comprises Bersatu, Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star), Sabah Progressive Party (Sapp) and United Sabah National Organisation (Usno). They partnered with BN to govern Sabah.

Although GRS is known publicly as a coalition of five parties, in the eyes of the Registrar of Societies and the Election Commission, it is a normal political party.

GRS was formally registered on March 11. As a coalition, GRS fielded 12 candidates for the Nov 19 election - of which six were successful.

Immediately after the election, GRS pledged allegiance to Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin to serve as prime minister but their support wavered five days later - after PKR president Anwar Ibrahim secured the top job.

It took until Dec 10 for a group of 15 GRS assemblypersons and four MPs to publicly declare they were “exiting” Bersatu.

This led to claims that the four newly elected MPs have triggered the “anti-party-hopping laws” under Article 49A of the Federal Constitution and will have to vacate their seats.

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