Hajiji confirms GRS-Harapan alliance for Sabah polls

The long-anticipated question of whether Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) - mired in a mining scandal implicating several assemblypersons and party leaders - would form an electoral pact with Pakatan Harapan has finally been answered.

GRS chairperson Hajiji Noor confirmed today that his eight-party coalition will officially maintain its partnership with Harapan heading into the next Sabah state election.

“Yes, we will continue working - GRS and Harapan - as they are today. No need to doubt it. We agree,” he told reporters when asked whether the alliance remains intact and supported by GRS component parties.

Asked specifically whether the same partnership will be carried into the state election, Hajiji simply nodded in affirmation. He added that discussions over seat distribution are still ongoing.

“We have discussed the components. The formula has been worked out, only a few things left to sort out,” he said after delivering his policy speech at the Gagasan Rakyat annual general meeting in Kota Kinabalu.

Hajiji’s remarks mark the first time he has confirmed the GRS-Harapan pact, putting to rest months of ambiguity and behind-the-scenes negotiations, as well as growing calls from certain GRS component parties to contest independently.

Among those present at the Gagasan AGM were several GRS leaders, including LDP president Chin Su Phin, PBS premier adviser Joseph Pairin Kitingan, SAPP president Yong Teck Lee, and Parti Cinta Sabah president Anifah Aman.

Notably absent were PBS acting president Dr Joachim Gunsalam and Star president Jeffrey Kitingan.

Also in attendance were Sabah Harapan leaders - state PKR adviser Christina Liew, Upko deputy president Donald Mojuntin, Sabah PKR chief Mustapha Sakmud, Sabah DAP chairperson Phoong Jin Zhe, and Amanah Sabah chief Lahirul Latigu.

The GRS-Harapan cooperation mirrors the power-sharing arrangement aspired at the federal level by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, but with BN also part of the broader governing coalition.

However, it has yet to form into a three-way partnership between the three alliances - GRS, Harapan and BN.

BN and GRS are still in conflict following a fallout between the leaders from the two groups - Hajiji and Bung Moktar Radin - in early 2023.

Solid partnership

Sabah PKR welcomed Hajiji’s affirmation.

“Yes, we will continue working with GRS. We have discussed with the component parties. The formula has been worked out - only a few things left to sort out,” Mustapha said.

While the seat-sharing details remain under negotiation, the Sabah PKR chief said the partnership is on solid ground, with general consensus among the parties.

Asked whether the arrangement reflects the will of the people, he replied: “Yes, I agree with the Sabahans' spirit of cooperation.”

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