KOTA KINABALU: Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) will contest solo in the upcoming state election if Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) proceed with their proposed collaboration, says Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
The GRS chairman said the coalition is prepared to align with other like-minded local parties, emphasising that Sabah's state government should remain led by local parties that truly understand the realities, cultures, and needs of its people.
"It is essential that the Sabah government remains led by local parties that understand the aspirations of the people. Straying from this principle would risk ignoring the voices of many Sabahans," Hajiji said in a statement Friday (May 9).
He added that GRS remains committed to political stability and the welfare of the people, reinforcing the strength of the current state government, which he said contributes to the unity government at the federal level.
Hajiji, who is also Sabah Chief Minister, said GRS will hold a leadership meeting soon to set its direction for the state election and engage in official discussions with current state government partners to gauge their stance on the matter.
This comes after a joint statement earlier Friday by Pakatan Harapan secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and unity government secretariat chief Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, confirming that PH and Barisan have reached a consensus to work together in the upcoming Sabah state election.
The decision followed a high-level meeting on May 8 involving Pakatan chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Barisan chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Previously, on April 19, Hajiji had emphasised that any electoral collaboration involving PH should be decided jointly with GRS, noting that the current Sabah government comprises both GRS and Sabah PH.
GRS consists of eight parties, including Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah, Parti Bersatu Sabah, Sabah Progressive Party, Sabah Star, United Sabah National Organisation, Parti Cinta Sabah, Liberal Democratic Party, and Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah, while Sabah PH has four parties — United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation, PKR, DAP, and Amanah.
