GE15: GRS ‘theoretically’ working with BN, but prepared for anything, says Kitingan

KOTA KINABALU: Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and Barisan Nasional will be working together to avoid clashes in the coming 15th General Election (GE15), says Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan.

The GRS deputy chairman said, however, they were prepared for any eventuality.

“Well this is what we are working out (to avoid clashes) but we don’t know what can happen at the last minute - anything can happen,” he said after an event here on Monday (Sept 12).

“But theoretically, we are working together,” he added.

Kitingan, who is also Sabah STAR president, said GRS has been holding talks with Barisan so that they could strike a strategic partnership to win the seats they are contesting in GE15.

Despite Kitingan’s favourable take on the possible cooperation between GRS and Barisan, remarks by Sabah Barisan chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin however sounded somewhat different.

Speaking after launching the Barisan Gelombang Biru (Blue Wave) and Barisan Kota Belud election machinery in Tuaran on Saturday, Bung Moktar said while discussion with GRS were ongoing, the cooperation between the two coalitions have yet to be cast in stone.

“The discussion is under way through an established committee. However, we are yet to finalise matters because we will analyse grassroots support to gauge how strong Barisan is.

“This is because we must (first) be strong in order for others to cooperate with us,” the Kinabatangan MP said.

Bung Moktar’s statement also seemed to be in contrast to the sentiments expressed by Sabah Chief Minister and GRS chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.

Hajiji was recently reported as saying that Barisan and Sabah Umno had agreed in principle to cooperate with GRS in GE15.

The next move, he said, was to discuss seat allocations and all party members were advised to be realistic as Sabah only has 25 parliamentary seats to be distributed evenly among the partners.

Kitingan meanwhile said Sabah STAR has already stated to GRS over its intentions to contest in more seats in GE15 although he declined to specify just how many.

“That is a secret,” he said, when pressed over whether they have finalised their candidates list.

Kitingan, who is Sabah STAR’s lone MP, also said he will defend the Keningau parliamentary seat if the people still wanted him.