Summary

  • Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor says GRS is open to working with Pakatan Harapan and BN in the upcoming state polls, but the decision will be up to the coalition’s supreme council.

  • This follows a meeting with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim yesterday, where the Harapan leader expressed hope for an alliance.

  • However, Hajiji insists that GRS must take the lead role in the election and future state administration.

Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) will decide whether it wants to work with Pakatan Harapan and BN in the next Sabah state election, said its chairperson Hajiji Noor in a statement today.

This followed a meeting that the Sabah chief minister had with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim yesterday, where the Harapan chairperson was said to have expressed his wish to see cooperation between the parties in Sabah.

However, Hajiji insisted GRS must take the lead role in whatever alliance they decide on ahead of the state polls, citing the GRS-led state administration’s track record and Sabahans’ aspiration for a locally based party to lead the state.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (left) and Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor

“I have met the prime minister and we respect his view and advice on how to create political stability in Sabah, because we need stability to move forward and carry out development works for the rakyat.

“In the context of cooperation, we have no problem because the state government we have today is a GRS-Harapan Plus administration.

“But whatever we are going to do in the state election, we will refer to the GRS supreme council members for a decision.

“But I have told the prime minister that we in Sabah have to look at the locals’ aspirations when deciding political understanding for future progress,” he said.

Adding further, Hajiji said the rakyat in Sabah wants a locally based party to lead the state administration.

Thus, he stressed the role must be taken by GRS as it is the only political coalition comprised of local parties.

‘Proven track record’

The Sulaman state assemblyperson claimed GRS has proven its capability as a state administrator, including in economic development.

“We have carried out many initiatives all over Sabah, which are good not only for the future of the state’s development but also for developing our economy overall.

“I am proud because we have a strong team in the government and solid support from the rakyat. We have learned from the state’s political history that we will be disunited if we always fight each other.

“Thus, I want GRS to lead the state election, because I feel the rakyat’s aspiration for us. They want a government that is led by a Sabah party.

“So, do not think of others anymore, let’s support this government, which you can see its achievement,” he said.

On Friday, Hajiji had said GRS was prepared to fly solo in the next state election.

This came after Harapan and BN announced a joint pact to face the upcoming 17th Sabah state election.