JOHOR BARU: The exit of Sabah STAR and Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) from Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) is just a tactical move, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The Barisan Nasional chairman said the parties are likely to reunite with their former partners after the upcoming Sabah state election.
"As decided by Umno and Barisan’s leadership, we are only cooperating with Pakatan Harapan for the 17th Sabah State Election," he told the press here on Sunday (Oct 5).
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"The developments within the GRS coalition parties are beyond what we have agreed upon.
"In my view, the decision by Sabah STAR and SAPP to leave GRS is a political tactic for them to contest under their own party logos, only to reunite (with the other parties) later when forming the state government."
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, had been asked to comment on the exit of the two parties from the current state ruling coalition.
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He had earlier launched the Johor-level Yayasan Pelajaran Malaysia Skuad.
"I want to tell the voters that this is an old political tactic, and I... believe the voters in Sabah will... act wisely in rejecting such political manoeuvres," he said.
On Thursday (Oct 2), GRS secretary-general Masidi Manjun confirmed that Sabah STAR and SAPP had left following nearly two hours of discussions at the coalition’s presidential council meeting the previous day.
At the meeting, Sabah STAR and SAPP reportedly insisted on contesting under their respective banners.
