GRS is not an ordinary coalition: Lumadan Chief
Published on: Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Published on: Wed, May 14, 2025
By: Iskandar Dzulkifli Text Size: Mazlan said GRS should contest more than half of the 73 State Legislative Assembly seats if such cooperation materialises. BEAUFORT: The Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) is a major political coalition in Sabah that should not be underestimated, as it represents the voices of the people from diverse backgrounds and areas. Lumadan Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah Division Chief, Mazlan Joehari Manan, said GRS, as a 'large vessel', is the threshold of political stability and aspirations of Sabahans who seek sustainable development and greater autonomy. 'GRS is a leading political coalition in this region that should not be dismissed by any party because we comprehensively represent the pulse of Sabah's people. 'GRS is not just an ordinary coalition, it is a mature union and a manifestation of Sabahans' voices demanding progress, stability and justice. 'We are not a minor voice... we are the mainstream voice. This coalition is a 'large vessel' carrying the hopes and future of this region. 'Most importantly, GRS holds autonomous power as a major local coalition compared to others,' he said in a statement here, last Sunday. He said this in reaction to GRS Chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Haji Noor's statement affirming GRS' readiness to contest solo in the 17th State election following the decision of Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) to cooperate in the election. However, Sabah Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Chief Datuk Mustapha Sakmud recently indicated that there is still room for discussion on potential cooperation between GRS and the PH-BN coalition. When asked about the possibility of GRS collaborating with PH-BN following Mustapha's statement, Mazlan said anything is possible but stressed that as Sabah's leading coalition, GRS must remain dominant. Mazlan, who is also Special Officer to the Chief Minister, said GRS should contest more than half of the 73 State Legislative Assembly seats if such cooperation materialises. 'Whatever form the political cooperation takes, GRS must dominate seat allocation in the upcoming election and dominate in fighting for the people's rights through the Sabah state government. 'Personally, I believe GRS should contest at least 50 out of the 73 State seats if it intends to cooperate. But if no negotiations take place, we are prepared to go solo in the state election,' he said. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * 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
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Express
an hour ago
- Daily Express
US visa issue: Malaysian students at Harvard can continue their studies for now
Published on: Sunday, June 08, 2025 Published on: Sun, Jun 08, 2025 By: Bernama Text Size: For illustrative purposes only. PUTRAJAYA: Malaysian students attending Harvard University can continue their studies without being interrupted by their visa status for now, the Higher Education Ministry (MOHE) said. This follows the latest development on the visa issue, with a United States (US) federal court judge ruling to grant a temporary restraining order (TRO) after an application was filed by Harvard, providing relief to over 6,800 international students there. Advertisement The ministry said in a statement today that it was monitoring the developments of this issue closely through Education Malaysia Washington D.C. (EMWDC). 'The decision enables international students, including Malaysian students, to continue studying without interruption for the time being. 'The ministry and EMWDC have also reached out to related sponsors and US education officials. The ministry welcomes their commitment to work together to ensure the wellbeing of our students,' the ministry said. The MOHE also reminded students to update their optional practical training information and to be careful in all action involving immigration matters. Advertisement 'For now, no Malaysian student has been reported to have encountered any problems or issues with their records with the Student and Exchange Visitor Programme (SEVIS) and any withdrawal of their visas,' the ministry said. It also recommended new students for Harvard's September 2025 intake to deal directly with the university and their sponsors to obtain the latest developments before making any further decisions. The ministry reiterated Malaysia's belief that cross-border higher education was an important platform to global talent development, knowledge exchange and strategic partnerships between countries. The ministry urged all parties to remain calm, act based on verified information, and to prioritse students' welfare when dealing with the issue and would continue to support Malaysian students abroad regardless of the situation in line with the Malaysia MADANI concept. * 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
Daily Express
3 hours ago
- Daily Express
PM instructs police to look into travel ban on Fahmi Reza
Published on: Sunday, June 08, 2025 Published on: Sun, Jun 08, 2025 By: Bernama Text Size: KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim ( pic ) has instructed Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay to look into the travel ban imposed on activist and graphic designer Fahmi Reza. The Prime Minister's Office said in a statement today that the MADANI government upholds individual freedom as long as they do not compromise national security or violate existing laws, Advertisement "As such, the police must provide further clarification regarding this matter. "The Prime Minister's Office will continue to monitor the situation accordingly,' it added. The media yesterday reported that Fahmi was banned from travelling abroad after a similar ban was also imposed on him in Sabah last week. * 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
Focus Malaysia
5 hours ago
- Focus Malaysia
PH defends Anwar amid civil suit: No grounds for gardening leave
FOR years, Malaysians heard the call from PH for prime ministers and ministers to go on 'gardening' leave or to simply quit their posts in the event of investigations against them. However, with a PH leader now leading the country, the party of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has seemingly made a U-turn on such policies. Bryan Ng Yih Miin, Strategic Director of Angkatan Muda KEADILAN (AMK) Malaysia, dismissed opposition calls for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to take leave over a civil lawsuit, calling them legally baseless and contrary to parliamentary norms. He emphasised that in the Westminster system, taking leave is only appropriate in cases of criminal misconduct or serious conflicts of interest, not civil disputes. Bryan warned that applying such a standard broadly would destabilise governance, as many leaders face civil suits that do not imply guilt or criminal wrongdoing. 'In the Westminster system, only when a leader is being investigated for serious misconduct, or if there is a serious conflict of interest, would taking leave or resigning be considered appropriate or ethical,' he said. 'A civil suit, such as a defamation case, is a dispute between individuals or private parties and does not involve criminal investigations, corruption, or abuse of power in an official capacity,' he explained when contacted by Suara Keadilan. Meanwhile, Hanani Dhamirah, a member of Angkatan Muda Keadilan Malaysia, rejected the call by Srikandi Muda Bersatu for Anwar Ibrahim to go on leave, calling it baseless and a misuse of legal processes. She argued that it does not warrant taking leave, as civil cases are personal legal disputes, not evidence of wrongdoing or prosecution. Mohamad Shahrul Adnan, Chief of Angkatan Muda Keadilan Klang added that the call is a political distraction, not grounded in legal facts. Shahrul also emphasised that there is no legal basis requiring Anwar to take leave and that he continues to perform his duties with integrity. He further accused PAS of misusing legal issues for political gain and attempting to divert attention from their own failures in state governance and lack of constructive national opposition. Shahrul urged all parties, especially PAS, to respect the ongoing legal process and avoid politicising court matters for short-term political advantage. —June 8, 2025 Main image: Media Madani
