GRS supreme council yet to endorse electoral pact with Pakatan, says SAPP chief
The Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) president said so far, the GRS supreme council had not held a meeting to endorse the electoral pact with Pakatan announced by Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor on Sunday on the sidelines of the Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah annual general meeting.
"There has not been a meeting of the Supreme Council in the last few months. If and when there is a meeting, of course, we will attend.
"As for what might happen, it depends. For example, what has been agreed between the GRS chairman and Pakatan? Was anything agreed at all?" Yong asked.
Hajiji's announcement of the pact took several of the eight party GRS leaders by surprise. The leaders declined to make any immediate comments, saying they wanted clarification on the matter first.
Yong said that Hajiji had discussed the matter with GRS component party presidents but nothing was finalised until approved by the GRS supreme council.
He also said it was confusing as Pakatan and Barisan have said that they have finalised seat allocation for the Sabah polls.
GRS had shown signs it was keen to go solo but Hajiji had constantly voiced preference to continue working with Pakatan for political stability.
GRS and Barisan, who worked together to topple the state government under Warisan-Pakatan government in the September 2020 state polls, have been at loggerheads since Barisan pulled its support for Hajiji in January 2023.
Sabah Pakatan gave their backing to GRS for the Hajiji-led government to remain in power.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Borneo Post
3 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Sabah Umno rejects 'panic pact', vows to go solo
Bung KOTA KINABALU (Aug 5): Sabah Umno has declared it will not be used as a tool in any politically motivated 'panic pact,' asserting its readiness to contest the upcoming state election independently. State Umno chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin reiterated his refusal to collaborate with coalitions he deemed dishonest, insincere and prone to betrayal. 'An electoral pact must be built on sincerity and integrity, not just seat-sharing and candidate selection,' he said on Tuesday. Bung Moktar welcomed a recent statement by Kuamut assemblyman Datuk Masiung Banah, who ruled out an alliance involving Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), Sabah Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN). 'Ironically, this comes from a so-called 'frog' and opportunist, but it confirms such pacts are driven by fear of losing, not shared principles,' he remarked. He also denied allegations that Sabah BN's withdrawal of support for the GRS government in January 2023 was an act of betrayal. 'It was a response to their greed for power. GRS leaders should remember they formed the government without a clear mandate,' he said. Bung Moktar dismissed last-minute alliances aimed solely at avoiding seat clashes as 'beautifully disguised panic pacts' meant to mask weaknesses. 'Barisan will not be part of any arrangement lacking genuine unity,' he stressed. Masiung who is the Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah vice president, has rejected Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's proposal for BN to form a tripartite alliance with GRS and PH ahead of the 17th State Election. He said that if a three-party alliance were to take shape, Gagasan Rakyat would stand by Anwar's earlier statement made in Tawau on May 11, where the Prime Minister expressed support for Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor to lead the seat negotiation process. During a special meeting with Sabah Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) leaders in Kota Kinabalu on Sunday, Anwar had expressed his intention to mediate negotiations between GRS, BN and PH to avoid three-cornered contests in the upcoming state election. However, Masiung firmly dismissed the idea, describing it as a political 'love triangle' that Gagasan Rakyat — the backbone of GRS — would not support. Umno Sabah Strategic Director Datu Rosman Datu Ahir Zaman also welcomed Masiung's rejection of the proposed tripartite cooperation between GRS, PH, and BN. Rosman acknowledged that while Masiung is known for party-hopping, his recent remarks raised a valid point about the alliance's lack of a shared foundation. 'Although the statement came from a political opportunist, this time he has touched on a truth — that the coalition is not grounded in a shared struggle, but rather in fear,' Rosman said in a statement on Tuesday. He said the move dubbed 'Langkah Kinabalu' should not be seen as betrayal, but rather a reaction to a lack of transparency and quiet power consolidation by GRS. 'If GRS leaders are accusing BN of betrayal, they should reflect on how they formed the government — not by embracing the people's mandate, but by sidelining it,' he said. Rosman pointed out the irony of GRS questioning BN's integrity when Masiung himself has a history of switching allegiances. Nonetheless, he reaffirmed that BN Sabah would not be part of any coalition lacking common values and principles. 'Politics is not merely about candidates and seat distribution. It is about integrity, sincerity and shared values,' he said, adding that any pact made merely to avoid electoral clashes would not constitute true cooperation. He said BN Sabah will contest the coming election with dignity and strong grassroots support, not as a dependent faction. 'We are not a fragile branch, we are a party with deep roots,' Rosman said. He also echoed Bung Moktar's earlier stance — rejecting cooperation with dishonest or insincere partners. 'In politics, being betrayed once is an experience. But if it happens again, that's on us. If you know it is a snake, would you let it bite you twice?' he asked. Rosman said if Masiung is sincere this time about political principles, BN Sabah is open to his statement — but warned against another reversal. 'Let us not see a situation where he agrees today and jumps again tomorrow. That would not be political strategy — that is a political illness,' he said. 'Umno Sabah will not be a tool for any coalition driven by panic. We are the heartbeat of Sabah's political struggle,' Rosman added.
Borneo Post
4 hours ago
- Borneo Post
GRS-PH pact not finalised yet
Mazlan (second left) inviting the public to enliven the upcoming Sabah Moto Day 2025. KOTA KINABALU (Aug 5): A formal electoral pact between Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and Pakatan Harapan (PH) for the upcoming state election has not been finalised, says Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) Lumadan chief Datuk Mazlan Joehari Manan. 'We take into account views from all levels, from the grassroots to the leadership. What was stated by the GRS chairman reflects prior meetings among party presidents,' Mazlan said at a press conference on Tuesday, in conjunction with the upcoming Sabah Moto Day 2025. He was referring to a July 27 remark by GRS chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor during the Gagasan Rakyat annual general convention, where Hajiji said the current GRS-PH cooperation would continue. Mazlan, however, clarified that no concrete decision has been made yet, noting that any formal pact must be jointly announced by both coalitions. 'There are differing opinions among GRS leaders and members, and their voices will be heard before any final decision is made. The grassroots need not worry – nothing is set in stone,' he said. Mazlan emphasised the importance of maintaining the existing GRS-PH government for Sabah's continued harmony, stability, progress and good federal relations. On electoral cooperation, he said seat distribution talks are ongoing and remain unofficial. 'But for us, regardless of who GRS partners with, our priority is to dominate the state election. As I've said before, we should aim to contest at least 50 seats,' he added. Meanwhile, in his capacity as Sabah Anti-Narcotic Squad chairman, Mazlan announced that the eighth edition of Sabah Moto Day (SMD) will take place from August 16 to 17 at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) parade grounds. The event is jointly organised by the Anti-Narcotic Squad and Kelab Dua Roda Bersatu (KDRB), aiming to unite youth and raise awareness on drug prevention. 'In addition to motorcycle exhibitions, there will be booths, anti-drug talks and a testimony from a former drug user,' he said, adding that they are targeting 60,000 visitors. The event will be officiated by the Chief Minister on August 17.
Daily Express
6 hours ago
- Daily Express
No final decision yet on GRS-PH cooperation
Published on: Tuesday, August 05, 2025 Published on: Tue, Aug 05, 2025 By: Iskandar Dzulkifli Text Size: KOTA KINABALU: No concrete decision has been finalised regarding the cooperation between Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and Pakatan Harapan (PH), said Lumadan Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah chief Datuk Mazlan Joehari Manan. He assured that GRS grassroots supporters should not feel disheartened despite the earlier announcement made by GRS Chairman, Datuk Seri Hajiji Haji Noor. According to Mazlan, Hajiji's statement was made after taking into account views from all levels of the party and coalition including grassroots members. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
