PARTI Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) has dismissed allegations of money politics and inducements to lure members of other parties ahead of the upcoming Sabah state election.
Its secretary-general, Datuk Razali Razi, said no financial or material offers were made to those who decided to join the party, insisting that new members did so based on their belief in Gagasan Rakyat’s struggle and leadership.
“There were no such offers.
“The leaders from Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) understand the foundation of our cooperation. Those who have joined us did so with full confidence that under the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) umbrella, the leadership of Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor is the right one to take Sabah forward.
“We do not want to repeat the instability of the past, where Sabahans ended up the losers. If governments change every five years, so do policies and aid initiatives — and it is the people who suffer. There is no money politics here, zero,” he said during a press conference in Kampung Warisan, Darau, on Friday.
Razali was responding to claims that some STAR members and leaders were offered cash incentives to defect to Gagasan Rakyat in the run-up to the state polls scheduled for 29 November.
He also rejected accusations that his party was “stealing” members from others, saying such shifts were a natural political realignment.
“There is no such thing as ‘stealing’ members. It’s a migration — and migration is about seeking something better,” he said. “Those who left STAR to join Gagasan Rakyat did so because they understand our direction and purpose.”
Meanwhile, former STAR Darau Wiranita chief, Datin Nollyzai Awang Sham, also denied receiving any form of payment for her decision to join Gagasan Rakyat.
“Throughout my political career, I have never been involved in money politics. My decision to join Gagasan Rakyat is based on faith in the Chief Minister’s leadership and in Datuk Razali’s credibility in fighting for the people of Darau.
“I joined voluntarily and sincerely, without expecting any reward. If money had been offered, I would have asked for a position — but I didn’t, I’m just an ordinary member,” she said.
It is understood that around 250 STAR members from the Darau division have crossed over to Gagasan Rakyat.
Earlier, STAR president Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan had alleged attempts to weaken his party through offers made to division leaders to resign and defect, a claim Gagasan Rakyat now firmly denies. - October 31, 2025
