KOTA KINABALU: Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) is expected to field candidates in at least 52 out of the 73 state constituencies in the upcoming 17th state election (PRN17), signalling a strong push by the coalition to retain power.
"Given the strong local sentiment towards Sabah-based parties ahead of this election, I foresee us contesting 52 seats, subject to the approval of GRS chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor," said Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) vice-president Datuk Masiung Banah.
"The remaining 21 seats will be allocated to national parties that agree to cooperate with GRS," Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) vice-president Datuk Masiung Banah told hundreds of attendees at a roadshow in Kampung Mananam, Tenom, on Saturday (May 24).
Banah expressed confidence that local candidates under the GRS banner could outperform opposition parties, particularly those previously rejected by voters during their time in government.
The Kuamut assemblyman stressed that GRS would be more cautious in forming future alliances, citing the failed power grab attempt during the “Langkah Kinabalu” episode in January 2023.
Several opposition assemblymen and political leaders from Sabah Barisan Nasional and Parti Warisan, along with defectors who allegedly wanted to align state power, tried to engineer a change of government by persuading elected representatives to switch allegiance and withdraw support from Hajiji.
However, the plan failed after Hajiji managed to retain majority support in the Sabah State Legislative Assembly, thanks to backing from most GRS component parties, several Sabah Barisan assemblymen, and Sabah Pakatan Harapan, which pledged support for political stability.
Banah, meanwhile, stated that the current working relationship between GRS and Sabah Pakatan, both politically and administratively, remains strong and should be maintained.
He believes that if the collaboration continues into the upcoming election, the coalition stands a strong chance of forming the Sabah government once again.
Earlier, Banah received a warm welcome from the Orang Sungai Making ethnic community at the Mananam District Polling Centre (PDM), accompanied by a convoy of over 30 motorcycles waving GRS flags.
The GRS roadshow was attended by all division chiefs from the coalition’s component parties in the Kuamut constituency.
Apart from Gagasan Rakyat, the other seven GRS component parties are Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), Sabah STAR, United Sabah National Organisation (Usno), Parti Cinta Sabah (PCS), Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP), Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), and Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah.
