GRS registration facing stumbling blocks, says Jeffrey

 

Jeffrey Kitingan feels it is vital to register GRS before the next election so all the parties can be united under one banner. (Bernama pic)

KOTA KINABALU: Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), the coalition running the state, has still not been registered as a political entity because not every party involved is keen on the idea, deputy chairman Jeffrey Kitingan has hinted.

Kitingan, who is Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) president, said his party was previously tasked with the registration and had made efforts to do so since last year but has so far hit a brick wall.

“We absolutely agree with the idea and we have actually done our part,” he told FMT, speaking on behalf of STAR.

“We have taken the initiative to register the coalition (but) we require the other parties’ consent – they must agree.”GRS comprises Perikatan Nasional (Bersatu, PAS, STAR, SAPP and Gerakan), Barisan Nasional (Umno, PBRS, MCA and MIC) and Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS).

Kitingan declined to comment when asked if there were any parties within the coalition that were not keen on the idea.

“Now that (Sabah Umno’s Usukan assemblyman) Salleh Said Keruak has brought it up, I am asking the (other) parties to give their support because we have actually been waiting for this for a long time.”

Salleh, who is also the GRS treasurer, said GRS needs to be officially registered in the interest of putting the political coalition on a strong footing.

Sabah Umno chief Bung Moktar Radin, also a GRS deputy chairman, said the matter needed to be discussed first among the component party leaders.

“We have to listen to what the party leaders say. Even if we did register (GRS), what is the objective?” he asked.

“If it serves Sabahans well, then I have no objections. We will refine the matter and decide on its direction.”

Kitingan, however, felt it was vital to register GRS before the next election.

“Then, people will know we are a local party. We can be united under one banner, become stronger and we can all use the same logo (to contest),” he said.

Other GRS leaders seemed to be in support of official registration.

Sabah Bersatu deputy chief Masidi Manjun said he agreed with Salleh’s call, saying an official registration would be the first step towards the GRS coalition having a formal structure.

“The GRS coalition is working well and a formal registration as a political party will create a stable political environment in Sabah,” he told FMT.

“Political stability is the key and foundation of good economic development of the state – it’s time to rebuild Sabah,” he said.

SAPP president Yong Teck Lee said his party had previously expressed that GRS should be registered so that it can function and contest as a Sabah political coalition.

“It is up to any party that does not want to join – it’s not a stumbling block.”

Sabah PAS secretary Aliakbar Gulasan also welcomed Salleh’s suggestion, saying it was the best measure to ensure political harmony in the state.

He added that this was also in line with the mandate given by the people to GRS in the last state election.

“Despite the political scenarios at the federal level and in several states in the peninsula, the political situation in Sabah remains smooth under GRS,” he said. - FMT