GRS backs Muhyiddin as PM but others stay mum

PETALING JAYA: Perikatan Nasional has submitted statutory declarations (SDs) by Members of Parliament supporting Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as the 10th Prime Minister, says coalition secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin.

He claimed that more than 112 SDs were sent to Istana Negara in line with Article 43 of the Federal Constitution to inform the King that Muhyiddin had secured the needed majority support to form the Federal Government.

Meanwhile in Kota Kinabalu, a war of words has erupted between Gabungan Rakyat Sabah and Sabah Barisan Nasional over the former’s support for Perikatan.

Earlier, GRS chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the coalition supported Perikatan chairman Muhyiddin as the 10th Prime Minister.

Hajiji, who is Sabah Chief Minister, said six GRS MPs had agreed to the decision after meeting Muhyiddin on Sunday night in Kuala Lumpur.

“GRS agrees to form the Federal Government together with Perikatan and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) and other parties who share the same vision,” he said.

Hajiji said a stable government must be formed as soon as possible to ensure a smooth transition of the country’s administration.

“It is also to ensure that Budget 2023 will be tabled and passed by Parliament soonest,” he said in a statement.

Sabah Barisan chairman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin slammed Hajiji for breaking their pre-election agreement to support Barisan after the general election.

“We had an agreement that GRS would support Barisan. Hajiji has broken the deal by giving support to Perikatan. He has declared war on us.

“Hajiji did not call me or discuss with me about GRS support for Perikatan,” he said, adding that it was GRS-Barisan’s pre-election agreement to share Sabah’s 25 parliament seats with GRS contesting 13 and Sabah Barisan contesting 12.

GRS won six seats and its state partner Barisan Nasional won seven seats.

Bung said it was now clear that GRS had also supported Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat (KDM)’s Datuk Wetrom Bahanda in Kota Marudu and two independents Verdon Bahanda (Kudat) and Riduan Rubin (Tenom).

The three non-GRS MPs were seen with KDM president Datuk Peter Anthony and Hajiji meeting with Muhyiddin on Sunday night, Bung said, referring to viral pictures.

He said it was clear that Hajiji and GRS had acted against the spirit of cooperation between GRS and Barisan.

Asked if Sabah Barisan would continue to cooperate with GRS at the state level, Bung responded that it would have repercussions on their relationship with GRS in the state government.

“Not now, we will look into it later,” he said without dismissing the possibility of withdrawing support for the state government

GRS comprises five parties – Bersatu Sabah chapter, Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), Sabah STAR, Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) and Usno.

Of the six seats the GRS coalition won, four are from Bersatu and one each from PBS and Sabah STAR.

Sabah Bersatu, Sabah STAR and SAPP are members of Perikatan at the national level while PBS is not a member of Perikatan at the national level.

Barisan has seven seats, with Sabah Umno winning six and PBRS one.

KDM won one seat while Verdon and Riduan Rubin are friendly with KDM.

Riduan made a surprise move by joining KDM midway through the general election.

KDM has been friendly with GRS but its application to join the coalition has never been approved.