A Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) leader has reportedly rejected a proposed tie-up between his coalition, Pakatan Harapan, and BN for the next state election.
Gagasan Rakyat Sabah vice-president Masiung Banah said it is impossible to form a mutual understanding with BN.
“It is impossible to reach a consensus because it would confuse voters. Moreover, GRS and Harapan had already agreed to continue political cooperation,” he was quoted as saying by Sinar Harian.
The Kuamut assemblyperson added that GRS and Harapan’s Sabah chapter already have a close cooperation through the existing arrangement and through working together in the state administration.
At the same time, he said the coalition has lost faith in Umno following its 2023 move to withdraw support for Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor’s administration, and its continued animosity towards GRS.
‘PM must keep his promise’
Masiung said if the three coalitions do cooperate, then Hajiji must lead the seat negotiations, claiming that Harapan chairperson Anwar Ibrahim had promised on May 11 that Hajiji would be in charge of doing so.
“We hope the prime minister will respect our stance and fulfil his promise to leave it to Hajiji as GRS chairperson to lead seat negotiations between parties in the political coalition in preparation for the 17th state election,” he added.
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GRS, which is mired in a mining scandal implicating several assemblypersons, including Masiung, announced last week that it will continue its existing cooperation with Harapan for the next state election.
Masiung had dismissed the videos implicating him in the scandal as being “edited” and quipped he looked “less handsome” in the video than he really is.
Huge task ahead for Anwar
Sabah BN had already confirmed an alliance with Harapan earlier, leaving Anwar with the unenviable task of getting the bickering parties to cooperate and find a seat allocation formula that is palatable to all parties in the electoral pact.
Yesterday, Anwar said he hopes to avoid three-cornered fights that could split the government bloc and confuse Sabah voters.
The Sabah election is expected to be called any time now, although Hajiji does have the option of waiting until the state legislature automatically dissolves on Nov 11.
In such a scenario, the election must be held by Jan 10 next year at the latest. Anwar will have until then to cut a deal that placates both GRS and BN. - Mkini
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