GRS prepared to fly solo against BN-Harapan pact: Hajiji

Summary

• GRS chairperson Hajiji Noor says the coalition is ready to contest solo in the Sabah state election if BN and Harapan proceed with their cooperation plan.

• He stresses that Sabah should be led by local parties, while GRS will consult its partners before deciding on its next move.

Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) chairperson Hajiji Noor said his coalition is prepared to go solo against Pakatan Harapan and BN in the upcoming state election.

In a statement today, he emphasised that Sabah parties must be the core of the state’s government.

“We uphold the principle that the Sabah government should be led by local parties that understand the realities, culture, and the needs of the people – without neglecting the role and importance of national parties in the broader cooperative framework.

“If Harapan and BN’s final decision is to cooperate in the upcoming state election, then GRS is prepared to contest solo and focus on cooperating with like-minded local parties.

“To deviate from this principle means we have forsaken the aspirations of a large portion of Sabahans,” he said in a statement today.

He was responding to a joint announcement by Harapan secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and unity government secretariat head Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki that BN and Harapan have agreed to cooperate in the state election.

“The form of the cooperation, including matters of seat allocation and negotiations with any other parties, will be jointly detailed by the Sabah state leaderships of Harapan and BN.

“All decisions will be finalised by the top leadership of Harapan and BN at the national level,” the statement read.

The 17th Sabah election must be held on or before Dec 8.

Hajiji, who is also the Sabah chief minister, said GRS will hold a meeting soon to decide on the coalition’s path forward in facing the election.

It will also hold official talks with other parties in his administration to seek their views and their stance.

'Building a better Sabah': Bung lauds BN-Harapan pact for state polls

Warisan rep urges Sabah voters to 'quarantine' corrupt GRS politicians

BN, Harapan open to alliances in Sabah polls - Salleh

Explain Hajiji’s political speech at mosque, Sabah authorities told

Sabah polls: Bersih urges CM to give heads up on dissolution date

Sabah polls: Parti Cinta Sabah yet to decide on fielding candidates