KOTA KINABALU: Increasing calls for Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) to contest the next state election independently reflect a growing sense of unity within the coalition.
“This is a very good sign of unity within GRS, and it clearly shows how strong the local spirit is in facing the upcoming state election,” said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor during the joint Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS)–Sabah STAR convention at Hongkod Koisaan in Penampang on Saturday (July 12).
Hajiji, who is also the GRS chairman, said the coalition would make a collective decision in response to rising grassroots demands for the local coalition of eight parties to go solo or consider working with another alliance.
“We will make a decision on that during our meeting, within the GRS supreme council,” he said.
Pressed by reporters on when the meeting would take place, Hajiji replied briefly: “Later.”
Asked whether GRS would go full term, with only four months remaining before the state election is due, Hajiji declined to commit, saying: “Don’t ask that… I’ll think about it.”
He said that in GRS, all decisions must be made through the coalition’s supreme council.
“When I want to dissolve, I will negotiate with and inform all my colleagues, all party presidents, when the time comes.
“There must be consensus. Although it is the Chief Minister’s prerogative to advise the Yang di-Pertua Negeri, we cannot sideline our partners in the coalition,” he said.
The sentiment from the grassroots was made clear when thousands chanted “Solo!” as Hajiji walked up the stage to deliver his speech.
Although he avoided directly addressing the solo push, instead focusing on unity, Sabah STAR president Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan and PBS acting president Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam openly supported the idea.
Kitingan pushed for minimal seats for partnership outside the coalition, while Dr Gunsalam said GRS should remain a dominant party.
Hajiji has indicated previously that GRS is keen to maintain the current relationship with Sabah Pakatan Harapan but is against any pact with Sabah Barisan Nasional headed by Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin.
