KOTA KINABALU: The ruling state coalition party, Gagasan Rakyat, has warned that any member who contests as an independent candidate in the 2025 Sabah State Legislative Assembly Election will be expelled from the party.
Contesting as an independent is against the party’s stand as a component of Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), said secretary-general Datuk Mohammad Razali Radzi in a statement as candidates filed their nominations on Saturday.
"Any individual who decides to contest as an independent has no connection whatsoever with the party or its leadership, even if they are members of Gagasan. The party has decided to immediately expel any member who violates this directive," he said.
Chief Minister Datuk Hajiji Noor’s political secretary, Datuk Dr Rolland Chia - who is also Inanam Gagasan division chief - was seen filing his nomination papers for the Inanam seat.
Inanam is currently held by Pakatan Harapan’s PKR incumbent Datuk Peto Galim. GRS and Pakatan have a seat-sharing agreement to avoid contesting against each other within the coalition.
