PN may reconsider stance on GRS after Sabah polls, says Kiandee

The Sabah Perikatan Nasional chief says the coalition will make decisions based on the post-election scenario.

Sabah PN chief Ronald Kiandee said forming a government depends on the final seat distribution and whether any party can reach the 37-seat threshold to govern alone.

PETALING JAYA:

 Perikatan Nasional may revisit its stance on cooperating with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah after the Nov 29 state election, despite lingering tensions from several GRS leaders leaving Bersatu in 2022.

Sabah PN chairman Ronald Kiandee said this was because of the fluid nature of politics in the state, Astro Awani reported.

“We will revisit our previous decision not to cooperate (with GRS). Sabah and Malaysian politics show many possibilities.

“Umno previously insisted it would not work with PKR or DAP, but when the situation arises and a coalition is needed, past positions are revisited,” he was quoted as saying in an interview.

Kiandee said while PN is contesting 41 seats, forming a government depends on the final seat distribution and whether any party can reach the 37-seat threshold to govern alone.

“But if no party can command 37 seats, a coalition situation will arise. PN will also make decisions based on the post-election scenario,” he said.

PN is going solo in the Sabah polls, where 73 seats are up for grabs. It has, however, repeatedly said it is keeping the door open to alliances.

PN chairman Muhyiddin Yassin had previously ruled out political cooperation with GRS, citing a perceived betrayal by GRS after its leaders, then in Bersatu, left in 2022.

GRS, initially an informal coalition of Sabah parties including Sabah Bersatu, was formally registered in March 2022.

Several leaders, including then Sabah Bersatu chief Hajiji Noor, quit Bersatu in December 2022 and later joined Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah, which became a GRS component party.

Kiandee was subsequently appointed Sabah Bersatu chief and PN state chairman. - FMT