KOTA KINABALU: A Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) presidential council meeting has backed a proposal for an electoral pact with Pakatan Harapan in the upcoming state election.
It is learnt that at least six parties supported the decision to form the pact with Pakatan.
Sabah STAR and the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP), however, were pushing for GRS to contest the polls on its own. The meeting was described as cordial despite the differing views.
It is also learnt that the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah (PHRS) had initially been hesitant, but agreed to support the pact once it was decided that GRS would work with Pakatan.
The six parties that supported the pact were Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah, Parti Bersatu Sabah, Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah, Liberal Democratic Party, Parti Cinta Sabah, and Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah.
It is further learnt that GRS will seek a formula to contest 55 state seats, leaving 18 for Pakatan. However, Pakatan is understood to be seeking between 21 and 23 seats.
Pakatan comprises Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), Democratic Action Party (DAP) Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) and United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko).
There was no official statement from GRS, though most leaders said the meeting was held in an amicable atmosphere and in the spirit of family.
The presidential council meeting was held at the Sri Gaya, official residential of the chief minister here, on Wednesday (Oct 1) night.
