Sabah polls: Gagasan Rakyat denies betraying people's mandate
Its deputy president, Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun, said he would never betray Sabahans, stressing that Gagasan Rakyat's direction reflects the aspirations and demands of the people.
He said the accusations hurled at them would not affect Gagasan Rakyat's struggle, as he was confident the party's direction aligned with the wishes and aspirations of the people of Sabah.
"I don't know what is meant by a traitor, but whatever betrayal they are referring to, I will not betray the people of Sabah.
"If we understand the aspirations of the people of Sabah, we will make their demands the core of our political struggle. As far as I'm concerned, say what you want, but in the end, the people will decide whether we are traitors or not.
"It is the people who will determine whether we are fit to continue governing Sabah," he said when launching the Joint Conference of the Gagasan Rakyat Women's, Youth, and Beliawanis wings, held in conjunction with the party's Annual General Assembly here today.
It was previously reported that Perikatan Nasional chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had accused Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) as traitors and said the coalition would not work with GRS in the upcoming 17th Sabah election.
Meanwhile, Masidi, who is also the Sabah Finance Minister, said Gagasan Rakyat's political struggle is guided by the essence of the state anthem, Sabah Tanah Airku.
"It is easy for us to understand our objectives because we sing Sabah Tanah Airku every day. Understand the lyrics because, in my view, our political struggle is embodied in that song.
"Every line of the song reflects our struggle. We love the people of Sabah, and that's why one of GRS' foundations is 'Sabah First, Sabah Prioritised'—this is the mandate contained in the song Sabah Tanah Airku," he said.
Masidi said the goal of the current GRS government is to deliver the best results without being concerned about what others say.
He added that the current achievements must be defended, and for that reason, GRS must win the upcoming state polls expected to be held this year.
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He has assured this writer that GRS will definitely not be partnering with Barisan Nasional, hence denying the announcement by Umno President Datuk Seri Dr Zahid Hamidi that 'BN will maintain alliance with PH in the next Sabah state general election.' That might as well be because it's hard to picture GRS leaders in the same campaign team with Sabah Umno, headed by Datuk Seri Panglima Bung Mokhtar who once launched the infamous Kinabalu Move (Langkah Kinabalu) coup attempt against the GRS government. Hajiji sympathizes with those who are passionate about going solo, but he says the pragmatic approach to the critical D-Day for the next state government is to work with Pakatan Harapan. He reasons that the obvious tactical advantage with working the PH is the added strength for GRS which will predominate the power balance with complete alignment of the three racial groupings in Sabah – the Momogun, Muslim and Chinese voters. He sees that the PH will bring in the DAP with the pull-in power to attract the Chinese voters, a strength no local Chinese party has. As he has always maintained, Sabah's governance must continue a close co-operation with the federal government for continued development, and partnership with PH in the PRN17 will ensure election victory and pre-seal close state-federal relations post-election. 'We need to be pragmatic and not be unduly influenced by emotion,' he said. 'Going solo may look heroic but that will be a path with huge potentials for mistakes!' He is not alone in his view. In a viral write-up by Usno Chief Information Officer, Iskandar Zulkarnain Ismail, he asserts that 'Let us not allow our common cause to be divided while our political opponents quietly reorganise to reclaim what we built. Let Sabahans see STAR, PBS, USNO and all GRS components rise as one, with clarity, maturity and determination — not out of frustration, but from a place of purpose and people's mandate. As Robert Greene wrote in The 48 Laws of Power, 'Strike the shepherd and the sheep will scatter.' Our opponents are not attacking us directly — they are striking at our unity, hoping we scatter ourselves. Let us not oblige them. In the end, unity is not submission. To struggle within GRS is not to betray principles. To defend our home is not to isolate ourselves. It is to build collective strength, so our political house remains unshakable, and Sabah's future remains in Sabahan hands.' Another write-up forwarded to me by Usno President Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia, opines that 'going 'solo' in a five or sixcornered fight may sound heroic, but the number works against voters, especially newcomers to the ballot box. When the field is splintered, a candidate can scrape through with barely eight or ten percent of the vote, meaning each ballot counts for less and whole communities risk being represented by someone most people never chose …. 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The passionate calls for 'solo' candidacy at the convention were not a promise from the entire GRS coalition, but the authentic expression of the will of 5,000 PBS and STAR supporters, their powerful voices demonstrating their unwavering resolve. They are tired of playing second fiddle, of being sidelined and ignored. They demand a decisive break from the past, a future where Sabah's self-determination is fully respected and its unique identity is celebrated within Malaysia.' This overwhelming frustration is the culmination of repeated betrayals, of broken promises, of Sabah's aspirations consistently sacrificed for Peninsular interests. Cooperation is necessary, but not at the cost of Sabah's unique and precious identity. This is not simply about rejecting cooperation, but about demanding respect, demanding equal rights, demanding that Sabah's voice be heard and valued. The burning question: who decides Sabah's fate? Is it the leaders on the ground, who understand the unique and diverse needs of Sabah's communities, or is it determined by distant federal leaders who may prioritize their own national agendas? This is a profound crisis of trust. When local leaders readily align with federal coalitions without transparent and meaningful consultation with their constituents, the bonds of trust are shattered. Sabah's leaders must seize this momentum wisely. The PBS-STAR convention was not just a display of unity, but a clear signal to act. Ignoring the 'solo, solo' calls would be a dangerous gamble, a major betrayal of the people's trust. This is not empty idealism, but an urgent political imperative. The path forward demands a fundamental rebalancing of the relationship between Sabah and the Peninsula. This is about strengthening Sabah's autonomy within Malaysia, prioritizing its agenda, establishing clear boundaries, and demanding decisive action to address its concerns. The Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) provides a clear framework for Sabah's autonomy. Building upon the principles enshrined in MA63, Sabah should strive to secure a political space that fully reflects its unique needs and aspirations, ensuring a future where its rights are respected and its potential is fully realized. I am glad that ongoing discussions between the Sabah State and Federal governments are underway to fully implement MA63. This process is crucial for securing a future where Sabah's voice is heard and its destiny is determined by its own people. It provides crucial context by highlighting the legal framework of the MA63 which underpins Sabah's claims for greater autonomy. Sabah has governed independently before. It has proven its capacity for self-rule. Let this past success inspire today's leadership to reclaim Sabah's political space, a space that truly reflects its unique needs and aspirations. This challenge is not just for PBS and STAR, but the responsibility of every leader in Sabah. Are we building a movement rooted in Sabah's reality, or are we merely tools of a national agenda? Sabah's future depends on this choice. Will Sabah progress with dignity and purpose, on its own terms, or will it remain a political colony? The convention has spoken; now, the leadership must respond with concrete action. The pressure is mounting. Some say leaving GRS is political suicide, but the people are crying out for change. The youth are disillusioned, weary of empty promises and ambiguous alliances. They demand clarity, not recycled narratives where loyalty is traded for positions and federal funds. PBS and STAR must honestly assess their position: are they being used to advance a Peninsular agenda, or are they genuine partners in a fair and equitable collaboration? The convention showcased both strength and underlying divisions, hesitations, and grassroots discontent. It is no longer about alliances, but about the why and the cost to the people of Sabah. Some claim going solo is suicidal, but the July 13th convention, with its electrifying 'GRS Solo!' chant from 7,000 participants, proves otherwise. It was not a top-down strategy, but a bottom-up revolution. It is not suicide, but a rebirth. This groundswell of support from the grassroots demands respect. It challenges the narrative of inevitable failure, promising a future where Sabah determines its own destiny. Ignoring this powerful wave of self-determination risks a catastrophic political backlash. The promises made must be kept, or Sabah will rise again, stronger, demanding its rightful place in the nation.
