KOTA KINABALU: With Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional officially announcing that they will work together in the upcoming state polls, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah will contest solo should the two coalition proceed with their proposed collaboration.
In a move which Pakatan and Barisan in Sabah said will bring greater political stability, the announcement ends months of guessing game on how the two coalition will take on the elections.
The announcement came following a high-level meeting on Thursday between the two coalitions’ leadership, Pakatan chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Barisan chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Both leaders reached a consensus to work together in the state polls.
In a joint statement issued by the unity government secretariat, the coalitions said the form of cooperation, including seat distribution and discussions with other political parties, will be further detailed at state level.
“All decisions regarding the cooperation will be finalised by the national leadership of both Pakatan and Barisan,” said the statement, which was signed by Pakatan secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and unity government secretariat chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.
Although the date for the state polls has yet to be officially announced, preparations among political parties are already in full swing.
GRS chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the coalition is prepared to align with other like-minded local parties, emphasising that the state government should remain led by local parties that truly understand the realities, cultures and needs of its people.
“Straying from this principle would risk ignoring the voices of many Sabahans,” Hajiji said in a statement.
Hajiji, who is Sabah Chief Minister, said GRS will hold a leadership meeting soon to set its direction for the state election and engage in official discussions with current state government partners to gauge their stance on the matter.
GRS consists of eight parties –Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah, Parti Bersatu Sabah, Sabah Progressive Party, Sabah Star, United Sabah National Organisation, Parti Cinta Sabah, Liberal Democratic Party and Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah.
State Barisan chairman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin said today’s political reality demands maturity and sincerity in building stability.
“For the sake of Sabah’s future, we choose to stand together, not just to win an election, but to build a better, well-governed Sabah,” he said, in response to the announcement.
Bung Moktar said discussions on seat allocations and collaboration with other like-minded parties will be handled by the leadership of both Sabah Barisan and Pakatan.
“We respect this process and will ensure that every decision is finalised in the spirit of consensus, as outlined by the national leadership,” he said.
Sabah Pakatan leaders said given the partnership at the national level, it is only logical for both coalitions to cooperate in elections.
“We are also open to engaging with other parties who support unity and collaborative nation-building,” Sabah Pakatan leaders said in a joint statement.
Pakatan said the cooperation should be driven by shared goals for the development of Malaysia and the long-term interests of Sabah.
They also noted the importance of preserving political stability and harmonious federal-state relations, which they said is crucial in fulfilling the aspirations behind the formation of Malaysia and ensuring a better future for the people of Sabah.
The statement was jointly signed by United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) president Datuk Ewon Benedick, Sabah PKR chief Datuk Mustapha Sakmud, state DAP chairman Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe and state Amanah chairman Tuan Lahirul Latigu.
The current state government is led by GRS in a coalition with Sabah Pakatan and Sabah Barisan sitting in opposition.
