GRS stays silent on pact with PH

Two component parties say they will walk if a deal is reached

KOTA KINABALU: The presidents of Gabungan Rakyat Sabah’s (GRS) eight component parties held a dinner meeting last night, but questions remain if the main agenda – when to call for the state polls and if GRS will go ahead to form a pact with Pakatan Harapan – was met.

The presidential council meeting was held at Seri Gaya, the Chief Minister’s official residence.

However, it could not be immediately ascertained if an outcome was reached over the two issues at the meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, the GRS chairman.

Earlier yesterday, the respective party secretaries-general were informed that the scheduled meeting of the GRS supreme council today has been cancelled.

Hajiji, the president of the dominant Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah, has been firmly stating that GRS would go ahead to forge an electoral pact with its current coalition partner Pakatan in the coming election.

Other partners – Parti Bersatu Sabah, Usno, Parti Cinta Sabah, Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah and Liberal Democratic Party – are with Hajiji as long as GRS remains the dominant partner.

Sabah STAR and Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) have voiced strong public objections to the Pakatan electoral pact.

Sabah STAR president and Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan has insisted that his party would leave the coalition if the Pakatan pact goes ahead.

SAPP president Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee went public with his stand, pushing for local parties to go solo.

Following the latest developments, talk is that the dissolution could be after the tabling of the 2026 Federal Budget on Oct 10 or even after the Asean Summit, which will take place at the end of the month.

“Hajiji is still mulling on the date, it could happen anytime,” said a senior political leader who declined to be named.

The current Sabah Legislative Assembly will automatically dissolve on Nov 11.