KOTA KINABALU: Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) has yet to set a new date for seat-sharing talks with its political partners after a meeting in February was called off after several key party leaders said they were unable to attend.
Asked if the meeting had been rescheduled yet, GRS secretary-general Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said there was no rush for coalition parties to formalise an agreement.
"Not yet. We don't even know when the state election will be held. For now, our focus should be on governance and service delivery," he said.
However, it is understood that GRS leaders have been holding informal discussions regarding a potential seat-sharing formula, which could include an electoral pact with Sabah Pakatan Harapan.
"There have been informal discussions (among GRS leaders) from time to time, but no formal meeting has taken place yet. We don't feel pressured to rush into seat negotiations," Masidi said when met at the state-level Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house at the Sabah International Convention Centre here on Saturday (April 5).
The Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah deputy president said all parties within GRS share a strong consensus, which will help facilitate seat negotiations when the time comes.
Apart from Gagasan, the seven other GRS component parties are Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), Sabah STAR, Parti Cinta Sabah (PCS), Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), United Sabah National Organisation (Usno), Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP), and Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah.
Regarding calls from the Opposition to announce the election date, Masidi said it remains the prerogative of the current administration.
"No country in the world announces its election date far in advance. For me, there is no need. It does not change the political dynamics or expectations," he said.
On the issue of political funding, Masidi stressed that transparency is key.
"There must be a clear definition of political funding and how the money is spent. The more transparency we have, the better for everyone. It will also reduce suspicion over where the money comes from," he said.
