GRS-PN alliance was always going to be a ‘tough sell', says analyst

Free Malaysia Today

15 hours ago

An analyst said GRS chairman Hajiji Noor's long-held stance that Sabah must be led by state-based parties reflects strong grassroots sentiment for local autonomy. (Facebook pic)
PETALING JAYA : A pre-election alliance between Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and Perikatan Nasional (PN) ahead of the next Sabah state election was always unlikely, analysts say, citing GRS's emphasis on local leadership and PAS's limited appeal in East Malaysia.
Bilcher Bala of Universiti Malaysia Sabah said that even if the opposition coalition had sought cooperation, a PN-GRS alliance would have been a 'tough sell.'
Last week, PN chairman Muhyiddin Yassin said the coalition would not work with GRS in the state election, citing the 'betrayal' of several GRS leaders who left Bersatu in November 2022 following the 15th general election (GE15).
Bilcher noted that GRS has since positioned itself as a coalition that champions Sabah's rights and identity.
Bilcher Bala.
He also said GRS chairman and Sabah chief minister Hajiji Noor's long-held stance that Sabah must be led by state-based parties reflects strong grassroots sentiment for local autonomy.
'Hajiji has even warned that GRS is prepared to go solo if necessary. That alone suggests limited appetite for partnering with a peninsula-dominated coalition like PN,' said Bilcher.
'Based on current political dynamics, it would be unlikely for GRS to seek cooperation with PN, even if PN hadn't ruled it out.'
He added that PAS's reputation in East Malaysia was another major hurdle, as the party's 'extreme religious rhetoric' and goal of turning Malaysia into an Islamic state had alienated many voters in Sabah and Sarawak.
PAS leaders have acknowledged their lack of support in East Malaysia and proposed autonomy for their Sabah and Sarawak chapters, but Bilcher said the party would need to do much more to overcome its negative image.
He also said Muhyiddin's 'betrayal' narrative has further strained relations between PN and GRS and signalled the deep mistrust the former prime minister held towards Sabah's ruling coalition.
'That kind of rhetoric doesn't just burn bridges—it bulldozes them. So, even if PN were to reverse its position, GRS would likely remain cautious,' he said.
Ramli Dollah.
Another analyst, Ramli Dollah, said key GRS partners such as STAR and PBS had long shown ideological incompatibility with religion-based parties such as PAS.
Ramli noted that since PAS was a component of PN, any formal cooperation with PN would make it difficult for GRS to retain support from non-Muslim voters.
'This makes potential GRS-PN cooperation more complex, not only ideologically but also electorally,' he said.
Ramli also pointed out that PN's status as the opposition bloc at the federal level was another stumbling block in any potential alliance with GRS, adding that a GRS-PN partnership could jeopardise its current working relationship with Pakatan Harapan (PH) at the federal level.
'Sabah's political culture has long leaned towards cooperating with the ruling federal government to ensure continued development and access to resources,' he said.
'Therefore, if any cooperation is to occur, it is more likely to happen between GRS and PH.'
The unity government secretariat previously announced that PH and Barisan Nasional (BN) would join forces for the Sabah polls, prompting Hajiji to state that GRS was prepared to go solo if PH teamed up with BN.
However, PH chairman Anwar Ibrahim later called for the PH-BN alliance to work with GRS. Talks between the three coalitions are said to be ongoing.