KOTA KINABALU: Pitas and Pintasan may be reliable strongholds for Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), but lasting victory in the 17th state election (PRN17) will come through unity, focus, and discipline and not overconfidence.
Gagasan Rakyat vice-president Datuk Masiung Banah said that while both constituencies have shown strong grassroots support, party members must avoid taking their success for granted.
“Pitas and Pintasan are shaping up to be ‘fixed deposits’ for GRS in PRN17. But we cannot afford to be complacent. Victory is never automatic,” he said at the Gagasan Rakyat annual general meetings for the Pitas and Pintasan divisions over the weekend.
The Pitas division is led by assemblyman Datuk Ruddy Awah, also the Assistant Science, Technology and Innovation Minister, while the Pintasan division is led by assemblyman Datuk Fairuz Renndan, also the Assistant Youth and Sports Minister.
Later in Kota Belud, during the Pintasan meeting, Banah urged members not to act based on personal agendas but to follow the party's leadership and direction.
“We should not waste time speculating on when the state assembly will be dissolved. That decision lies with the party president. Our duty is to stay the course and work hard on the ground,” he stressed.
Banah, who is also the Kuamut assemblyman, said party leaders at all levels must stay focused and not be swayed by opposition noise.
He called on all party members to maintain their momentum and close ranks ahead of PRN17, adding that it is unity, not just strong polling areas, that will secure victory for GRS.
