No deal if GRS not the driver
Published on: Tuesday, May 27, 2025
Published on: Tue, May 27, 2025 Text Size: Joachim said the coalition remains open to discussions but has yet to engage with any party from Peninsular Malaysia. Kota Kinabalu: Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) must be in the driver's seat in any collaboration for the coming state elections, said Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) acting president Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam. Joachim said this when asked to comment on Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar's statement that PKR is aiming for at least 13 seats in the Sabah polls. 'As long as GRS has the absolute majority, then we welcome collaboration with other parties. 'But what's important is that GRS must be in the driver's seat,' he told reporters after a press conference on Sabah Head of State's upcoming birthday celebration at the Ministry of Communications integrated complex. He said GRS must win and stressed the focus should be on the coalition itself rather than its component parties. Joachim said the coalition remains open to discussions but has yet to engage with any party from Peninsular Malaysia.
Advertisement He said GRS welcomes healthy competition but is focused on winning as a coalition. He was also asked to comment on Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) secretary general Dato Seri Azmin Ali's statement that Bersatu has idenfied potential seats to contest in the Sabah elections. Joachim, who is also Kundasang Assemblyman, said they are free to do so as Malaysia is a democratic country, and GRS is open for a friendly contest with the other parties. He added that to his knowledge, GRS has not had any talks with Bersatu on election cooperation and specific discussions with Perikatan Nasional (PN). 'If possible, it would be best for GRS to win the seats uncontested, but I don't think so,' he said. On Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) Vice President Datuk Masiung Banah's statement that GRS is aiming for at least 52 state seats, he declined to say how many seats PBS is eyeing out of the figure. 'GRS includes PBS and Star, so we are all in it. My side has been asking for seats, but we will discuss about it. 'What is more important is that we identify which seats the coalition can win. GRS must win. Don't talk about individual parties first – GRS,' he said. Local coalition GRS consists of Gagasan Rakyat, PBS, Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP), Parti Cinta Sabah (PCS), Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star), Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah (PHRS), Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and United Sabah National Organisation (Usno). * 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.
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