KOTA KINABALU: A consultative committee has been established by Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) to discuss seat allocations for the 17th state election, which is due in September next year.
To be chaired by Gagasan Rakyat deputy president Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun, the discussion will include its seven component parties in the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition, as well as government-friendly leaders in the Pakatan Harapan (PH) Plus.
“This seat allocation committee has been formed to engage in discussions with GRS component parties, including PH-Plus, which currently supports the government,” said Gagasan Rakyat president Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor to reporters after the Gagasan Rakyat Supreme Council meeting, here, on Tuesday (Nov 5).
The Sabah Chief Minister noted that while seat allocation discussions will initially focus on the GRS component parties, they, however, are open to talks with other parties that support the unity government.
“We are prioritising discussions with our partners in the government. However, this does not mean we are closing the door to other parties that support the unity government,” said the Chief Minister, who is also GRS chairman, adding that while discussions remain open, the priority is the welfare of our state.
The current state government involves a coalition between GRS and PH with defectors from Barisan Nasional.
In another development, Hajiji said that it focused on preparations for Gagasan Rakyat's Annual General Assembly, scheduled for Nov 8–10, which would see some 6,000 delegates and observers expected to attend.
“As of now, Gagasan Rakyat has over 304,817 members and 6,977 branches.
“We are mobilising the party to serve the people, especially as the next election approaches. Every party, including Gagasan Rakyat and GRS component parties, is preparing for an election that must be held by October next year,” he said.
Aside from discussing the President’s keynote speech, the assembly will also address proposals related to economic and educational policies.
“We have identified delegates who will participate in debating these proposals at the assembly,” Hajiji said.
