GRS ‘very comfortable’ working with Sabah PH, says info chief

 

Joniston Bangkuai pointed out that Sabah PH chose to back GRS chairman Hajiji Noor as chief minister after a failed coup to overthrow the state government in 2022.

PETALING JAYA: Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) says it is “very comfortable” working with Sabah Pakatan Harapan, a day after Bersatu said it is looking into the possibility of cooperating with the state’s ruling coalition in the next state election.

GRS information chief Joniston Bangkuai said there is no reason for them to form an alliance with other peninsula-based parties due to its compatibility with Sabah PH and the people’s confidence in the coalition.

“GRS will focus on realising the Sabah Maju Jaya agenda in developing the state and unifying the people,” Bernama quoted him as saying.

Joniston also pointed out that Sabah PH chose to back GRS chairman Hajiji Noor as chief minister after a failed coup to overthrow the state government in 2022.

“Sabah PH’s decision to support Hajiji as chief minister was due to concerns that the political instability caused by the attempt by certain parties to overthrow the state government would disrupt the momentum Sabah was experiencing in terms of development,” he said.

However, he said interest shown by other parties to cooperate with it was a “sign of confidence” in GRS as the head of the Sabah government.

“As a coalition of local parties, GRS will always be guided by the views and sentiments of the people of Sabah in making any decisions,” he said.

Yesterday, Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin said his party would explore the possibility of cooperating with GRS for the 17th Sabah election, while Pejuang president Mukhriz Mahathir said his party was open to cooperation with all parties in Sabah, including GRS.

Meanwhile, GRS deputy secretary-general Armizan Mohd Ali said the coalition is made up of several parties and all decisions, including matters of cooperation between parties, require discussion and the agreement of all parties.

“We are happy that an outside party is interested in working with us. This shows that our party is held in high esteem and is believed to be capable of governing Sabah,” he said. - FMT