GE15: Kuamut rep rubbishes talk of pulling support for GRS, backs Sabah CM

KOTA KINABALU: Independent Kuamut assemblyman Datuk Masiung Banah (pic) has reiterated his support for Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) following a viral message claiming that he was withdrawing support for the state's ruling coalition.

Masiung said he firmly backed GRS chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, who is also Sabah Chief Minister, after messages claimed he and three Bersatu assemblymen were quitting the party.

“How could I quit when I am an independent assemblyman who is GRS friendly? I am not a member of any party that is a GRS component,” Masiung said in a statement issued Monday (Oct 17).

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He stressed that as a GRS-friendly independent, he firmly supports Hajiji's leadership.

On Sunday (Oct 16), a viral post on social media named Masiung together with GRS-Bersatu assemblymen Datuk Rubin Balang (Kemabong), Datuk Rudy Awah (Pitas) and Datuk Abdul Ghani Yassin (Nabawan) as the four who were ditching GRS.

Rubin, Rudy and Ghani all denied the claims when contacted earlier on Monday (Oct 17) and said they were still with Bersatu and GRS.

Masiung said such messages were being spread to create confusion among the people.

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“These irresponsible people are trying to ‘stir the pot’ with the 15th General Election around the corner.

"Those responsible did it with malicious intent. I was in Kuamut over the weekend servicing constituents and was unreachable as there are still many areas there which do not have Internet service.

“I was only informed of the issue by my communications officer Yussof Imbang late (Sunday) night,” said Masiung, who is Kinabatangan GRS chairman.