Sabah PH yet to hold talks on state polls alliance

 

Sabah Pakatan Harapan leaders with GRS chairman Hajiji Noor (centre) and other leaders of GRS and Barisan Nasional at a meeting in January. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Sabah Pakatan Harapan has dismissed speculation of forming an alliance with Barisan Nasional in the coming state elections.

Sabah PH said it was aware of reports and speculation of its possible allies for the next state polls, with the state assembly due to be automatically dissolved by October next year.

“Sabah PH has yet to discuss any understanding or possible alliances to be formed for the coming election.

“Nevertheless, Sabah PH remains part of the state government and supports the leadership of chief minister Hajiji Noor, as well as seeing that this government reaches its full term.

“What is equally important is that we are committed to focussing on the development and well-being of the people under the Madani government,” the state coalition said in a statement today.

On Wednesday, FMT quoted a source as saying BN and PH were expected to collaborate for the state election, going up against Hajiji’s Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) despite the two coalitions being part of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s unity government.

The source said the tie-up is likely to include Warisan and Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat. However, there is opposition from some within PKR, particularly Sabah PH chairman Christina Liew, who is also in Hajiji’s Cabinet.

The state PH leadership said it supported the state government’s decision to not implement the Madani village development committee in Sabah.

Rebuff for Zahid’s initiative

Sabah PH said the initiative by the federal rural and regional development ministry, which is led by deputy prime minister and Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, was unnecessary.

It pointed out that the Sabah state assembly passed an amendment to the Rural Administration Ordinance to give the state government the autonomy to appoint and manage the administration of village committees.

“Every Sabah PH elected representative supported the amendments to the ordinance which is intended to give autonomy to the state government to manage its affairs.

“We welcome any federal funding given to Sabah especially for the development and benefit of the rural communities. We also believe that such funds should be managed by the Sabah government to give meaning and respect towards state laws.” - FMT