GRS says it will honour Pakatan pact amid Upko’s posturing

KOTA KINABALU: Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) will honour its seat-sharing deal with Pakatan Harapan and expects it to be reciprocated, says its secretary general, Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun (pic).

Masidi said that negotiations between GRS and Pakatan were conducted in good faith and should be honoured by all parties involved, including Upko, which was part of the four-member national coalition in Sabah.

“Upko is part of Pakatan. On that basis, we expect everyone to honour the agreement,” Masidi said after officiating the BigSabah Sale 2025 at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) here Saturday (Nov 1).

“If they (Upko) don’t, then they are opening the door to an even wider free-for-all (contests),” he told reporters when asked about statements and posturing by Upko leaders to contest more than the agreed seats in the Nov 29 Sabah election.

Upko has been posturing to contest several GRS incumbent seats, including Limbahau, Kiulu and Tamparuli.

Upko secretary-general Datuk Nelson Angang had announced his intention to contest the Limbahau state seat during the Upko Papar Convention in October.

At the same time, Tuaran MP Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau was proposed to be fielded in Tamparuli, and the division’s deputy chief, Joisin Romut, in Kiulu.

Limbahau is held by Datuk Juil Nuatim, who is a direct member of GRS after he left Warisan, while Tamparuli is held by PBS deputy president Datuk Seri Jahid Jahim and Kiulu by PBS information chief Datuk Joniston Bangkuai.

Masidi said the GRS coalition would stand firm on the decisions reached through its discussions with Pakatan.

“For us in GRS, the seats that have been negotiated with Pakatan are where we will place our candidates, regardless of whoever else contests,” he said.

When asked if he foresaw a free-for-all in the coming state elections, Masidi said anything was possible in politics, but expressed hope that common sense would prevail.

“If you keep fighting each other, you are allowing parties that are not friendly to you to win. If we have decided to work as a team, then we should operate as a team.

“You cannot say you are a friend, but at the same time stab someone in the back. Friendship, to my mind, doesn’t work that way,” he said, adding that GRS would announce its candidates about a week before the Nov 15 nomination day.

Masidi said that he was defending his Karanaan seat, which he has held since 2004.

“I’m the deputy president of Gagasan Rakyat, so I’ll be shying away from my responsibility if I don’t (contest). Generals should lead, not just give orders from behind,” he quipped.