GRS's 52-seat bid risks straining ties with national party allies, says analyst
Published on: Wednesday, May 28, 2025
Published on: Wed, May 28, 2025
By: Anne Muhammad, FMT Text Size: An analyst said a proposal for GRS to contest 52 out of 73 seats in the upcoming state polls could spark dissatisfaction among national party allies. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA: An analyst has cautioned that the call for Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) to contest 52 out of 73 seats in the upcoming state election risks stirring discontent among its potential allies from national parties. Syahruddin Awang Ahmad of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) said parties like Umno, which had a strong historical presence in Sabah, would see this as an attempt by GRS to 'take over' their seats. He added that GRS's proposal would have significant political implications on cooperation with Sabah's ruling coalition ahead of the state polls. 'An unfair seat distribution, or one that doesn't reflect the actual strength of each party, will have consequences,' he said. Lee Kuok Tiung, also of UMS, said three-cornered or multi-party contests would be unavoidable, even if GRS cooperates with national parties ahead of the state election. 'Overlapping areas are difficult to avoid,' he said.
Advertisement Last Sunday, GRS vice-president Masiung Banah said GRS was expected to field candidates in at least 52 out of the 73 state constituencies at the next state polls. He said the remaining 21 seats would be allocated to national parties that agreed to cooperate with GRS. GRS and Pakatan Harapan (PH) are currently allies in the Sabah state administration while the Umno-led Barisan Nasional (BN) sits in the opposition. PH and BN have announced an alliance for the state polls, while talks are ongoing to include GRS in the pact. On Sunday, PKR deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar expressed hope that her party would be able to contest a minimum of 13 seats in the Sabah election. The following day, Sabah DAP deputy chief Chan Foong Hin said the state chapter was eyeing at least 10 seats in the state polls. Sabah Umno had said it hoped to contest 40 seats in the 17th state election. * 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
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
13 minutes ago
- The Star
GRS intensifies preparations for 17th Sabah state polls
KOTA KINABALU: Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) has intensified its preparations for the 17th state election (PRN17), with comprehensive training sessions for its machinery conducted across all constituencies and state assembly areas. GRS chairman Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor, who is also GRS chairman, said the coalition's election machinery is now fully activated, with grassroots-level training playing a key role in ensuring readiness. 'GRS is clearly prepared. We have set up our election machinery and carried out multiple training sessions to ensure every constituency is ready for the upcoming election,' he said. Speaking at the 2025 Ibadah Qurban Programme at the Tuaran district police headquarters on Saturday (June 7), Hajiji noted that discussions on seat allocations have yet to be held. He also confirmed that he had met with Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi before Ramadan to discuss potential political cooperation. 'We had a discussion before Ramadan (around February), but no final decision was made. 'Any decision on possible cooperation must be referred to the GRS supreme council before we move forward,' he said. In conjunction with the Aidiladha celebration, Hajiji expressed hope that the occasion would encourage a deeper sense of unity and sacrifice among Malaysians, especially Muslims. 'Aidiladha is not just about the ritual of animal sacrifice, it also teaches us values like cooperation, tolerance, and willingness to make sacrifices for the greater good. 'This means prioritising unity and working together for a better future for Sabah's diverse communities,' he said. Earlier in the day, Hajiji joined around 1,000 worshippers for Aidiladha prayers at Masjid Haji Noor in Kampung Serusop. He was accompanied by state Rural Development Minister Datuk Jahid Jahim, state Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, Tuaran MP Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau, and Pantai Dalit assemblyman Datuk Jasnih Daya. Together, they symbolically handed over sacrificial cattle to Tuaran OCPD Supt Noraidin Ag Maidin.
Free Malaysia Today
21 minutes ago
- Free Malaysia Today
GRS fully prepared for state election, says Hajiji
GRS chairman Hajiji Noor said the coalition remains open to talks on cooperation with BN. (Bernama pic) TUARAN : Gabungan Rakyat Sabah is fully prepared to face the upcoming state election, said its chairman, Hajiji Noor. Hajiji, who is also the chief minister, said GRS has conducted a series of training sessions across constituencies to strengthen the coalition's election machinery ahead of the polls. 'Clearly, GRS is ready. We have established our election machinery and conducted several rounds of training in preparation (for the election). 'However, discussions on seat allocations have yet to take place,' he told reporters after officiating the Aidiladha sacrificial ritual at the Tuaran police headquarters today. The state legislative assembly will automatically dissolve on Nov 11, ending its five-year term beginning on Nov 12, 2020, paving the way for the 17th state election. On cooperation with Barisan Nasional for the polls, Hajiji said GRS remains open to discussions with the party's leaders. 'The last time I met the BN chairman (Ahmad Zahid Hamidi) was before the fasting month. While political matters were discussed, there have been no further talks on collaboration or related issues since then. 'There is no issue with meeting (BN). I have great respect for all friends, especially the BN chairman, and we are very open on this matter,' he said. However, he said any party-related matters, including the state election and potential cooperation with other parties, must first be discussed with the GRS Supreme Council before any decisions are made.
Borneo Post
33 minutes ago
- Borneo Post
Hajiji: GRS machinery fully prepared for 17th state election
Hajiji (right) at the sacrificial cow presentation ceremony to mosques and suraus in Tuaran today. – Bernama photo TUARAN (June 7): Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) is fully prepared to face the 17th state election, said its chairman, Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. Hajiji, who is also the Chief Minister, said GRS has conducted a series of training sessions across constituencies and state assembly areas to strengthen the coalition's election machinery ahead of the polls. 'Clearly, GRS is ready. We have established our election machinery and conducted several rounds of training in preparation. 'However, discussions on seat allocations have yet to take place,' he told reporters after officiating the Aidiladha sacrificial ritual at the Tuaran District Police Headquarters today. Also present were Sabah Minister of Rural Development, Datuk Jahid Jahim; Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment, Datuk Joniston Bangkuai; and Tuaran Police Chief, Supt Noraidin Ag Maidin. The Sabah Legislative Assembly will automatically dissolve on Nov 11, ending the five-year term that began with its official opening by Sabah Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Juhar Mahiruddin on Nov 12, 2020, paving the way for the 17th state election. Commenting on the cooperation with Barisan Nasional (BN) for the upcoming election, Hajiji said GRS remains open to discussions with the party's leaders. 'The last time I met the BN chairman (Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi) was before the fasting month. While political matters were discussed, there have been no further talks on collaboration or related issues since then. 'There is no issue with meeting; I have great respect for all friends, especially the BN chairman, and we are very open on this matter,' he said. However, he said any party-related matters, including the 17th state election and potential cooperation with other parties, must first be discussed with the GRS Supreme Council before any decisions are made. – Bernama GRS hajiji noor lead sabah Sabah state election
