KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) supreme council has endorsed the move to leave Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) in line with its long-standing vision of a Sabah government run by local parties.
Party information chief Chin Vui Kai said SAPP strongly believes that Sabah can form a state government solely from local parties, similar to its neighbour Sarawak.
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"We emphasise that Sabah state elections should be contested exclusively by local parties across all 73 state seats.
"This approach upholds our principles, strengthens local autonomy, and ensures that governance remains in the hands of Sabah political parties," he said in a statement on Sunday (Oct 5).
The supreme council meeting followed SAPP's decision to leave GRS over the coalition's decision to forge an electoral alliance with Pakatan Harapan.
"We established that parting ways with GRS is a fait accompli, an irreversible and settled matter," Chin said.
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While Sabah-based local parties may adopt different strategies, he said: "We share a common goal of preventing external forces from unduly influencing Sabah’s governance.
"Guided by the principle of 'Sabah for Sabahans', we act in alignment with the wishes of Sabah voters, advocating for self-determination and autonomy," he said.
Chin said that once the state assembly is dissolved, all seats revert to the people.
"There is no such thing as a seat belonging to a party or a person," he said.
He added that SAPP remains committed to empowering local politics, ensuring a dedicated, home-grown administration for Sabah, and upholding the principle that its government is chosen by Sabahans, from Sabah parties.
