![[UPDATED] GRS wants to continue PH ties, but insists on leading role for Sabah polls](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fimages%2Farticles%2Fhajijikekalph_1753588361.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
[UPDATED] GRS wants to continue PH ties, but insists on leading role for Sabah polls
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the continuity in the cooperation is in line with the strong support from Sabah PH when GRS was facing an attempt to topple the state government, known as the Kinabalu Move, in January 2023.
"Since then, the strong GRS-PH cooperation, which has clearly brought stability and progress to the state, will continue to be maintained as a genuine partnership, one that is believed to bring many benefits and positive outcomes to the people in Sabah.
"Thank you to the Sabah PH leaders from all of us in GRS," the GRS chairman said in his closing speech for the Parti Gagasan Rakyat (Gagasan Rakyat) annual general assembly at the Sabah International Convention Centre here.
Present were GRS' party component presidents, including Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee of Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP), LDP's Datuk Chin Su Phin, United Sabah National Organisation's (USNO) Tan Sri Pandikar Amin, and PCS's Tan Sri Anifah Aman.
Sabah PH leaders were Datuk Ewon Benedick (Sabah PH chief and Upko president), Datuk Mustapha Sakmud (Parti Keadilan Rakyat's chairman), Datuk Phoong Jin Tze (Democratic Action Party's chairman), and Lahirul Latigu (Sabah Amanah chairman).
Former chief minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan also attended the event.
Hajiji, who is also Gagasan Rakyat president, also stressed the importance of GRS as a strong coalition of local parties in fulfilling the aspirations of Sabahans who want to see local parties dominate state politics.
"When I attended the Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS)-Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) event, I felt a burning spirit among party members. Both parties have their strengths and contribute greatly to GRS.
"It is no exaggeration to say that PBS and STAR are the backbone of GRS. They are comrades-in-arms, always standing by our side, offering support and wise counsel in their roles as GRS members.
"SAPP, USNO, Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah (Harapan), Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), and Party Cinta Sabah (PCS), all these parties play a role in uniting and strengthening us.
"Let us continue to strengthen our unity so that local parties may stand as one. Truly, the strength within GRS is the key to winning big in the upcoming election," he said.
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