KOTA KINABALU: Pakatan Harapan will have to walk a tightrope in juggling the electoral cooperation between rivals Barisan Nasional and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), says state Umno leader Datuk Salleh Said Keruak.
With the GRS opting to forge an electoral pact with Pakatan in the coming state election, he said Barisan will leave it to Pakatan to manage the cooperation between the three parties.
“For Barisan, we made the choice to work with Pakatan early on.
“It was on the basis that we are the foundation of the unity government at the federal level.
“So this cooperation is a logical and responsible continuation.
“How Pakatan manages cooperation with Barisan and GRS is none of our business.
“What is important for Barisan is a sincere cooperation,” he said in a Facebook post.
At present, there are two alliances in preparation for the Sabah polls: Pakatan and Barisan, and Pakatan and GRS.
Salleh, who is Sabah Umno treasurer and a former Sabah chief minister, said their focus is to strengthen the party on the ground.
“We want to win and help our coalition partners.
“We are not a two-faced player.
“Our approach is clear – honest, open and for the good of the people of Sabah,” he said.
Both GRS and Sabah Barisan, who were partners in the 2020 state election, have refused to work with each other after Sabah Barisan withdrew its support for Hajiji in January 2023.
Sabah Pakatan filled the vacuum and kept Hajiji’s state government afloat.
Salleh said that GRS’ decision to forge an electoral pact with Pakatan reflected that they have chosen to work with national parties and rejected the all-local party formula adopted in Sarawak.
“GRS’ decision to choose Pakatan as a partner for the Sabah election deserves respect.
“They ultimately rejected the solo path and chose to work with national parties.
“Of course, they have their own basis, and the people will judge,” he added.
Salleh said GRS’ decision rejects the Sarawak formula that distances itself from national parties.
“They (GRS) chose to work with national parties.
“We in Barisan have been consistent from the beginning that a coalition with Pakatan is the best approach for stability,” he said.
His posting comes in response to Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor’s confirmation on Sunday about an electoral pact with Pakatan.
There has been no immediate reaction by GRS component party partners on Hajiji’s announcement of the electoral pact.
Salleh believes that GRS chose Pakatan as a partner because they wanted to work with the Prime Minister’s party to ensure good relations with the federal government.
“This is in line with the need to guarantee political stability and development for Sabah,” he said.
