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The Star
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Pakatan to handle GRS-Barisan rifts
KOTA KINABALU: Pakatan Harapan will have to walk a tightrope in juggling the electoral cooperation between rivals Barisan Nasional and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), says state Umno leader Datuk Salleh Said Keruak. With the GRS opting to forge an electoral pact with Pakatan in the coming state election, he said Barisan will leave it to Pakatan to manage the cooperation between the three parties. 'For Barisan, we made the choice to work with Pakatan early on. 'It was on the basis that we are the foundation of the unity government at the federal level. 'So this cooperation is a logical and responsible continuation. 'How Pakatan manages cooperation with Barisan and GRS is none of our business. 'What is important for Barisan is a sincere cooperation,' he said in a Facebook post. At present, there are two alliances in preparation for the Sabah polls: Pakatan and Barisan, and Pakatan and GRS. Salleh, who is Sabah Umno treasurer and a former Sabah chief minister, said their focus is to strengthen the party on the ground. 'We want to win and help our coalition partners. 'We are not a two-faced player. 'Our approach is clear – honest, open and for the good of the people of Sabah,' he said. Both GRS and Sabah Barisan, who were partners in the 2020 state election, have refused to work with each other after Sabah Barisan withdrew its support for Hajiji in January 2023. Sabah Pakatan filled the vacuum and kept Hajiji's state government afloat. Salleh said that GRS' decision to forge an electoral pact with Pakatan reflected that they have chosen to work with national parties and rejected the all-local party formula adopted in Sarawak. 'GRS' decision to choose Pakatan as a partner for the Sabah election deserves respect. 'They ultimately rejected the solo path and chose to work with national parties. 'Of course, they have their own basis, and the people will judge,' he added. Salleh said GRS' decision rejects the Sarawak formula that distances itself from national parties. 'They (GRS) chose to work with national parties. 'We in Barisan have been consistent from the beginning that a coalition with Pakatan is the best approach for stability,' he said. His posting comes in response to Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor's confirmation on Sunday about an electoral pact with Pakatan. There has been no immediate reaction by GRS component party partners on Hajiji's announcement of the electoral pact. Salleh believes that GRS chose Pakatan as a partner because they wanted to work with the Prime Minister's party to ensure good relations with the federal government. 'This is in line with the need to guarantee political stability and development for Sabah,' he said.
The Star
20-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Perikatan seeking unified alliance, says Muhyiddin
PETALING JAYA: Perikatan Nasional is aiming to build an alliance of non-government-aligned parties that strives to adopt a unified stance on issues affecting the people and nation, says Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. As part of this effort, the Perikatan chairman said he met with top leaders of 11 parties on July 18 to discuss and gain feedback for this initiative. 'The establishment of this cross-party alliance aims to strengthen the role of checks and balances for the opposition parties both within and outside Parliament. 'All attendees provided very positive feedback on this proposal. 'God willing, I will bring the views expressed during this meeting to the upcoming Perikatan Nasional supreme council meeting,' Muhyiddin said in a Facebook post. Among those present were Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, Gerakan president Datuk Dr Dominic Lau, Malaysian Indian People's Party president Punithan Paramsiven, Parti Pejuang Tanah Air (Pejuang) president Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir, and Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia (Putra) president Datuk Ibrahim Ali. Other attendees were Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) deputy chairman S. Arutchelvan, Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) acting president Amira Aisya Abd Aziz, People's Progressive Party youth chief Sathiah Sudakaran, Barisan Jemaah Islamiah Se-Malaysia (Berjasa) president Zamani Ibrahim, United for the Rights of Malaysians Party (Urimai) president Dr. P. Ramasamy and Malaysian Advancement Party president P. Waytha Moorthy. PAS was not present at the meeting but its top leaders, including deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man and vice-president Datuk Idris Ahmad, said they were aware of the event. When contacted, Idris said the PAS leaders could not attend the meeting because party president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang and other leaders were still in Kedah on Friday. 'We are in the know (about the meeting), but we were all still in Kedah after the Himpunan Mandat Negarawan rally on Thursday night,' said Idris. Tuan Ibrahim said Muhyiddin is expected to brief Perikatan on what transpired during the meeting. 'There is no difference in opinion between us and Bersatu. Muhyiddin is the Perikatan chairman, and he will present what transpired during the meeting with the non-government bloc for all of us in Perikatan to decide on. 'Although the meeting was not discussed earlier in the Perikatan meeting, we know that the topic will be raised in the next meeting,' Tuan Ibrahim said when contacted. In a statement the day after the meeting, Arutchelvam of PSM said that the party has decided not to join Perikatan or any new alliance. 'Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin presented several proposals, including a cross-party understanding among opposition parties. 'PSM welcomed the discussions and shared our views and position,' said Arutchelvam. He added that PSM is currently pacting only with Muda and Parti Rakyat Malaysia.
