KOTA KINABALU – Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) is keeping mum over its prime minister of choice in view of its pact with Barisan Nasional (BN).
Its chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor who is Sabah Bersatu chief was coy when asked over who will be the alliance’s prime minister pick.
But he pointed out they will support whichever alliance they had signed a pact with.
“This cooperation in facing this general election is between GRS and BN,” Hajiji said to reporters after launching the alliance manifesto here today.
When asked which coalition he will be comfortable working with after the 15th general election, Hajiji said, “everyone knows that we (GRS) are working with BN at the state level.”
GRS comprises three PN component parties – Bersatu, SAPP, and Sabah Star – Usno and PBS.
Beluran dan Tenom
Hajiji also appears to have no qualms over Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee contesting under the PN banner in Beluran.
Ronald is contesting against Benedict Asmat, the BN chairman fielded in the Sabah east coast constituency, against the GRS-BN electoral pact.
“We do not stop anyone from contesting,” he said.
Hajiji said the political landscape in Sabah is different from the peninsula and changes had to be made to suit the political practices in the state.
He said this in response to PN chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s statement in defending Ronald’s bid to get re-elected on the coalition’s ticket.
On the other hand, Hajiji said action will be taken if indeed the independent candidate in Tenom is from Bersatu.
Hajiji was referring to the candidacy of Riduan Rubin, the Bersatu Tenom youth chief, for the Tenom seat.
Riduan is contesting against Jamawi Jaafar, the candidate from Umno’s Barisan Nasional. which was also against the electoral GRS-BN pact.
“If indeed, the Tenom candidate is from Bersatu, we will take the necessary action.
“We will never allow this,” he said. – The Vibes, November 8, 2022
