KOTA KINABALU: Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) has not ruled out the possibility of political alliances in the coming state election – if there is a leadership change within Sabah Umno.
However, GRS secretary-general Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun gave a noncommittal response when asked about the prospect, saying: “Politics is a game that makes the impossible possible.”
While the remark stopped short of confirming anything, he stressed that GRS is weighing a variety of scenarios, including possible friendly contests with other parties, depending on how the political landscape evolves.
A final decision on whether to contest solo or collaborate is expected to be made at the GRS supreme council meeting, scheduled either at the end of this month or early July.
Masidi, who is also state-owned oil and gas company SMJ Energy Sdn Bhd (SMJE) chairman, said no firm decision has been reached yet, but Chief Minister and GRS chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor has already met with presidents of the Sabah-based coalition’s component parties and held informal discussions with Pakatan Harapan leaders.
“The (Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah) president (Hajiji) has gathered feedback from party members and friendly parties. Once the council meets, we should be able to decide whether GRS will go solo or form a coalition,” Masidi said at SMJE’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, in collaboration with MyKasih Foundation at SMK Kanibongan in Pitas on Tuesday.
He stressed Hajiji’s stand that the state election should be contested under a united GRS banner, in line with its emphasis on maintaining political stability.
“Political stability is crucial. One of the reasons Sarawak is ahead in many aspects is because of its consistent political stability, which has allowed the state to focus on development. That is what we want for Sabah too.
“You cannot avoid politics, but politics alone cannot bring benefits unless it is accompanied by economic and developmental progress. Over the past few years, we have experienced relative political stability.
“That, along with less infighting, should now translate into achievements that would have seemed unimaginable just a few years ago,” he added.
Masidi also acknowledged that GRS leaders are more inclined to work with Pakatan than Barisan Nasional (BN), citing long-standing tensions with Sabah Umno.
“Sabah Umno’s leadership has made it clear they are not keen to work with GRS, and unfortunately, the feeling is mutual. That pretty much sums up the rather uneasy truce, if there is any political truce among all the political parties.
“Many of our leaders are comfortable working with Pakatan and maintaining the allocation and division of seats, but find it rather difficult to work with Barisan for reasons that have been mentioned many times.
“You can have many scenarios, one of them is maybe strike an agreement with Pakatan, and perhaps have a friendly match between GRS and Barisan.”
