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KOTA KINABALU: The move by Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) to forge an electoral pact with Pakatan Harapan is a "desperate attempt to survive" as the people have lost confidence, says Sabah Umno strategic director Rosman Ahir Zaman (pic).
"It is a clear sign, they have abandoned their slogan 'Rumah Kita, Kita Jaga' (We look after our house) for local parties to rule Sabah," he said.
"GRS itself is caught by its latest move because it was too passionate about pursuing power without holding to its principles for Sabah parties to rule Sabah," he said.
Rosman said GRS was reflecting its own "panic and fear" as the GRS collaboration with a national coalition would open up the real truth that GRS was no longer going solo and was just a "puppet" in the federal government's manoeuvres.
"A political coalition built on the fear of losing power and electoral desperation is not a strategy, but a panic move," said Rosman who was countering GRS supporters' claim that Barisan was panicking because GRS had decided to work with Pakatan.
"This collaboration will not solve the crisis of public confidence in the GRS state government, but will only increase political cynicism because the people know this is not 'unity of vision', but 'unity of survival'," he added.
He said Sabah Umno chairman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin's social media postings on the hypocrisy of GRS change of political tack was not a sign of fear, but a bold signal that Sabah Umno will not bow to politics that sacrifice principles.
"Bung dares to speak the truth. They (GRS) shouted loudly 'Rumah Kita, Kita Jaga', but today they are swept by federal political manipulation supposedly for the sake of stability but in reality for the sake of continuing position and power," Rosman added.
Sabah Barisan is not afraid of the cooperation of any party, but is more concerned about the negative impact on the future of the state, especially when the government is formed without a clear mandate and based solely on the interests of the elite, he said.
"If it is true that this cooperation is for the people, why is it not done inclusively? Why not negotiate openly, and instead rush to make announcements without a clear direction?" he asked, adding that such politics will only leave Sabah drifting in the arena of failed political experiments.
The two ruling national coalitions Barisan and Pakatan have reached a seat sharing consensus for the coming state election.
However, on Sunday (July 27) GRS chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor disclosed that GRS and Pakatan have locked into an electoral pact for the election.
The issue raised questions on the Pakatan-Barisan pact as both Barisan and GRS have been in loggerheads at the state level since fallout in January 2023.
Sabah Umno information chief Datuk Suhaimi Nasir said that they were taking a "wait and see" approach on how seat distribution negotiations between Pakatan and GRS develop.
He said that there was no involvement of GRS during the Pakatan-Barisan negotiations and as such any negotiations with GRS does involve Barisan but solely Pakatan.
"We are waiting and seeing because there has been no discussion yet if they want to merge with GRS. In the discussions, only Barisan and Pakatan are involved.
"But in the past day or two, GRS has also stated its cooperation with Pakatan, which means it is outside the original negotiations," he said Monday (July 28).
