GRS components back Hajiji to remain as Sabah CM

KOTA KINABALU: Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), a Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) component, has thrown its support behind Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor to continue leading the state as Chief Minister.

PBS deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam made the assurance amid persistent speculation that Hajiji’s government faced impending collapse due to the rumoured defection of assemblymen from the ruling GRS-Barisan Nasional government to form a new administration with another group.

“PBS still supports the leadership of Hajiji – 110%,” said the Kundasang assemblyman after an event here on Thursday (Jan 5).

When asked whether this other group purportedly trying to overthrow the present government involved the Opposition or people from within, he said: “No comment. I think you all know better than me.”

ALSO READ: Hajiji still has majority support of Sabah assemblymen to remain as CM, says GRS sec-gen

Asked if Hajiji should test his majority support in the 79-seat state assembly, Gunsalam said it was not necessary.

“But if it is required, I’m sure we can win. They are trying to destabilise the government but as far as we are concerned we just (carry on with) work.

“If it’s really necessary, then we will see what to do from there,” he said.

Besides PBS, Sabah STAR and Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP), GRS also has 15 direct members who were former Bersatu assemblymen.

Sabah STAR deputy president Datuk Ellron Angin, who is also Sook assemblyman, echoed Gunsalam’s sentiments, saying his party was all in for Hajiji to stay in charge.

“So far, no one has approached us (to switch camps) but that’s probably because they won’t dare because we are with Hajiji.

“Don’t even try. We are faithful to him (Hajiji),” said the Sabah Youth and Sports Minister.

Gunsalam and Ellron made the comments on the back of a statement by GRS secretary-general Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun on Wednesday (Jan 4) affirming that Hajiji continued to enjoy the majority support from the 79 Sabah assemblymen.

Masidi issued the statement following speculation that certain quarters claimed to have the support of more than half the assemblymen, enabling them to form a new state government.

Without naming the group, he said Hajiji has majority backing, including from the seven Pakatan Harapan assemblymen who were considered part of the Opposition in the state at the moment.

Masidi said GRS was also prepared to prove the validity of Hajiji’s support to the appropriate authority.

As it stands, the GRS-Barisan government has 46 assemblymen, including six nominated representatives, in its camp, comprising 29 from GRS itself – seven from PBS, six from Sabah STAR and one from SAPP, plus the 15 GRS direct members.

Barisan has 17 assemblymen.

It is understood that Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat (KDM), which has three seats, as well as PAS and Parti Bangsa Malaysia with one each, and one independent representative were also friendly to the state government, meaning Hajiji currently has the support of 53 assemblymen.

On the other hand, Parti Warisan led by former chief minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal has 19 seats, while Pakatan has seven – four from DAP, two from PKR and one from Upko.