GRS content with Pakatan, uninterested in other partners

GABUNGAN Rakyat Sabah (GRS) is not interested in working with any coalition other than its partner, Pakatan Harapan for now.

GRS information chief Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said this after reports surfaced that Perikatan Nasional (PN) was keen on a pact with the ruling Sabah alliance.

Pejuang had also recently expressed an interest in teaming up with GRS.

“Considering the people's confidence in GRS and its working relationship with Pakatan Harapan, there is no reason for GRS to form any cooperation with other parties based in Peninsular Malaysia at the moment,” said Bangkuai in Kota Kinabalu.

Sabah Pakatan Harapan chose to back GRS chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, who is also the Sabah chief minister, when a group of Umno leaders allegedly plotted with Warisan to oust the GRS-led state government in early 2022.

“GRS sees the interest of Perikatan Nasional and Pejuang as a sign of confidence in the GRS-PH leadership's ability to lead Sabah. But GRS will always base its decisions on the sentiments of the people of Sabah,” said Bangkuai.

PN president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was reported to be considering the possibility of working with GRS in the Sabah elections next year.

At a press conference, Muhyiddin said he had yet to speak with any Sabah party about a partnership but it would be good for his coalition to have affiliations in Sabah during the polls.

He said the matter would only decided when it was known when the elections would be held.

Pejuang president Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir had expressed willingness to work with his “old friends”in  GRS who shared his goals. – May 7, 2024