SANDAKAN – Although it remains to be seen whether ruling coalition Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) cements a bipartisan pact with Pakatan Harapan (PH), DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said a collaboration could result in more development in the state.
He said Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Md Noor recently invited him for a discussion over the possibility of collaboration between GRS and PH – similar to the federal memorandum of understanding (MoU) between PH and the ruling Barisan Nasional-Perikatan Nasional government.
“If we (PH) can discuss with the federal government to amend the status of Sabah and Sarawak in the Federal Constitution in accordance with the Malaysia Agreement 1963, why can’t we discuss with the Sabah government about advancing the state?
“If we can help to push the agenda forward, I think we should be open to discussion,” he said at a press conference after the Sabah DAP ordinary convention in Hakka Hall here, today.
Lim said his meeting with Hajiji did not conclude with a finalised result, adding that the ball is now in GRS’ court on whether it wants to proceed with such a collaboration.
“We leave it to Sabah parties to finalise the discussion. It depends on the Sabah government if it wants to ensure not only stability, but the people taken care of even if they voted for the opposition. We want to see whether that will happen.”
Lim explained that the perks of collaboration include advancing Sabah’s native customary rights and defending the freedom of religion.
“Those are the areas we can cooperate with, why not do it? It is in the spirit of harmony in Sabah.
“We still have our differences, but we can ‘fight’ it out in the election.”
Last month, Sabah’s PH council proposed a bipartisan collaboration with GRS to focus on the implementation of development strategies in the state.
GRS comprises elected representatives from BN, PN and Parti Bersatu Sabah. – The Vibes, November 21, 2021
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