GRS will serve its five-year term even if Parliament dissolves, says Hajiji

KOTA KINABALU: Gabungan Rakyat Sabah will serve its full five-year term as its own entity notwithstanding possible general election being called next year or any future changes in the political alignments at national level.

GRS chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, who is Sabah Chief Minister, dismissed any notion or speculation that the GRS would also call for snap elections when the Federal Government calls for a national election.

"Yes, our mandate is for five years and there is no reason why we should not complete our term," Hajiji said to a question if the GRS government would continue in the event the Federal government calls for a national election.

Hajiji gave his views as the GRS coalition marked its first year in government Wednesday (Sept 29) after winning the Sept 26 snap Sabah election last year.

His views come amid speculations that there was a possibility the GRS-led Sabah government would also dissolve the assembly if Parliamentary elections, anticipated early next year, were called.

The 10 party GRS coalition comprising two coalitions Sabah Barisan Nasional (Umno, Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS), five party Sabah Perikatan Nasional ( Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia), Sabah STAR, Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP), PAS and Gerakan) and Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS).

Sabah Umno chairman Datuk Bung Moktar Radin had previously maintained that the state Barisan will maintain the GRS mandate as it was given by the people despite changing political scenarios at the Federal level.

The GRS, a loose coalition that was formed ahead of last year's state elections, defeated the Warisan Plus-led state government led by Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.

However, since winning GRS has yet to register itself as a political coalition with the Registrar of Society.

In January this year, the parties signed an agreement to strengthen the cooperation between parties in GRS.

GRS as a coalition remains firmly in control of the state assembly but any movements out of the coalition by its partners could shift the political balance in the state.

Bung Moktar have repeatedly maintained that Umno will remain committed to GRS despite the changes at the national level with Umno's Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yakoob taking over as Prime Minister from Bersatu's Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin last month.