ALL months of the so-called coffee-fuelled diplomacy between Gabungan Rakyat Sabah and Pakatan Harapan over whether they would form a pact for the state election has now been answered.
The confirmation came from GRS chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor himself, ending long-standing speculation over whether the Sabah-based coalition would go it alone or maintain the federal-aligned unity pact.
“Yes, we will continue working with GRS and PH as they are today. No need to doubt about it. We have agreed,” Hajiji told reporters on Sunday after delivering his policy speech at the Gagasan Rakyat annual general meeting.
When pressed whether this partnership would carry into the state election, expected to be called before the legislative assembly’s automatic dissolution in November, Hajiji simply nodded.
As for the seat sharing formula, Hajiji said the discussion is almost done.
“We’ve discussed it with the components. The formula has been worked out — only a few things left to sort out.”
It was the clearest indication yet that GRS has settled on its election alignment with PH, echoing the federal-level cooperation both blocs have shared under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim since 2022.
But the endorsement is not without its friction.
The announcement puts pressure on dissenting voices within GRS, particularly from Sabah STAR, SAPP and Usno, who had previously urged the coalition to contest independently, wary of tying up too closely with peninsula-based parties.
Both Sabah Star president Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan and PBS acting president Datuk Seri Joachim Gunsalam were conspicuously absent from the Gagasan Rakyat Sunday’s annual general meeting which will end today (Sunday).
It also did not address PH official pact with BN whether GRS is part of the picture.
Leaders from Sabah BN and GRS had a fallout since 2023.
Present were LDP president Datuk Chin Su Phin, PBS founding president Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, SAPP president Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee and Parti Cinta Sabah president Tan Sri Anifah Aman.
From PH, top state leaders including PKR adviser Datuk Seri Christina Liew, UPKO deputy president Datuk Donald Mojuntin, Sabah PKR chief Datuk Mustapha Sakmud, DAP Sabah chairman Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe, and Amanah Sabah chief Datuk Lahirul Latigu were also in attendance.
This signals the partnership had backing at the top level.
While GRS and PH are clearly aligned, the third leg of the federal unity government, Barisan Nasional (BN), remains out of Sabah’s current pact configuration.
Any hopes of a GRS-PH-BN triple alliance appear slim for now, with relations between GRS and BN still strained following the fallout between Hajiji and Sabah UMNO chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin in early 2023.
Despite this, PH appears ready to move ahead. Sabah PKR chief Mustapha Sakmud echoed Hajiji’s remarks, confirming that discussions with GRS had moved past preliminary stages.
“Yes, we will continue working with GRS and PH from today. We’ve discussed with the components. The formula has been worked out — only a few things left to sort out.”
Asked if the arrangement reflects the sentiment on the ground, Mustapha replied simply:
“Yes, I agree with the Sabahans' spirit of cooperation.” – July 27, 2025
