10-05-2025
Sabah PH open to cooperation with GRS despite talks of solo contest, says Mustapha
Mustapha (second left) and UMS Vice-Chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Kasim Mansor (right) officiating the Jom Masuk U 2025 Sabah zone carnival.
KOTA KINABALU (May 10): A pact between Pakatan Harapan (PH)-Barisan Nasional (BN) and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) for the upcoming state elections remains a possibility, said Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Sabah chief Datuk Ts Mustapha Sakmud.
He acknowledged GRS chairman and Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor's preference for GRS to contest solo if PH allies with BN. However, Mustapha noted that Hajiji's recent statement leaves 'room for both sides to discuss and establish cooperation.'
Speaking after officiating the Borneo Education, Skills & Career Carnival 2025 at North Borneo University College on Saturday, Mustapha said PH welcomes the PH-BN collaboration, as it reflects the unity pillars of the Madani government extended to Sabah. He stressed, however, that local parties must also be involved.
'Sometimes we forget that in PH, there is Upko, and in BN, there is PBRS. So we are not purely national coalitions but a mix of national and local parties. This is the foundation of the Unity government at the federal level,' he said.
Mustapha expressed hope that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Hajiji, both expected in Tawau on Sunday, could meet to maintain the unity seen at the federal level. He said this spirit could guide seat allocation talks for the state polls.
'We understand GRS' desire to be the pillar of the state government, but discussions are possible. Let's not create tension that could lead to discord. We remain open to working with GRS,' he said.
The Sepanggar MP revealed that Sabah PH had informal discussions before the PH-BN alliance was announced but reiterated the need to include local parties in the process.
He added that while PH is ready for all scenarios, including GRS contesting independently, their priority is to avoid such a split.
'This is normal in politics, but we will try to avoid it. If it happens, we will leave it to the rakyat of Sabah to decide. The PH-BN cooperation has already been set by top leaders and is now being implemented at all levels,' he said.
Hajiji, in a statement Friday, said GRS is prepared to contest the 17th Sabah State Elections on its own if PH and BN proceed with their collaboration, emphasizing that local parties must remain the cornerstone of the state government.
His remarks came after PH chairman Anwar and BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi agreed to cooperate in the upcoming election during their May 8 meeting.
Sabah PH is composed of four parties: Democratic Action Party (DAP), United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko), PKR and National Trust Party (Amanah). It is connected to the local coalition GRS, which includes eight parties: Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah, Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP), Parti Cinta Sabah (PCS), Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star), Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah (PHRS), Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and United Sabah National Organisation (Usno).
Both coalitions currently form the state government through the GRS-PH Plus partnership.
