Latest news with #GRS-led
Malaysiakini
3 days ago
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
Activist: Celebrating Musa a waste when Sabahans in dire straits
An activist from a Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) student group urged for governor Musa Aman's birthday celebration to be cancelled. Aliff Danial said public funds should be channelled towards solving problems in the state. He condemned the GRS-led state government for spending...
Malaysiakini
4 days ago
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
Activist: Celebrating Musa a waste when Sabahans in dire straits
An activist from a Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) student group urged for governor Musa Aman's birthday celebration to be cancelled. Aliff Danial said public funds should be channelled towards solving problems in the state. He condemned the GRS-led state government for spending...
Borneo Post
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
GRS yet to decide on PH partnership for Sabah polls
Mohamed Razali (third left) presenting a JKKK appointment letter during the event, while Abqaree (second left) looks on. KOTA KINABALU (May 25): Speculations that Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) will only partner with Pakatan Harapan (PH) in the coming state elections remain a speculation, said GRS executive secretary Datuk Mohamed Razali Mohamed Razi. Mohamed Razali said the word speculation in terms of politics means that anything is possible, as politics itself is dynamic, so for now, GRS has not made any decision on the matter. However, he stressed that at the end of the day, whatever decision they make will be based on the interests of the rakyat. 'So, we leave it to the top leadership to decide, but I reiterate that our objective is to do what's best for the people of Sabah. 'Because GRS does not act exclusively, but inclusively. We have to recognise and appreciate our friends who are not in Sabah. 'To me, that is very important,' he told reporters after the ceremony to hand over Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) appointment letters for the Darau state constituency at Kampung Warisan here today. Meanwhile, Mohamed Razali called for the GRS-led state government to be maintained to ensure political stability as well as the continuity of its various initiatives in addressing longstanding issues such as water, roads and electricity. He did not deny that these issues are prevalent in the Sepanggar area, but assured that the government has been taking action. Mohamed Razali, who is also Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) Darau chief, said the government has a direction and has done many things to tackle these problems through documented short and long-term plans, but such issues require time to resolve. 'Hence, we need stability to keep the momentum. And continuity, that is very important. 'If we keep changing governments, the next administration will come in with new policies, and it is the rakyat who will be affected,' he said. Meanwhile, Mohamed Razali said around 500 people had attended the programme at Darau, which was held in conjunction with the 'Jelajah Darau D'Hati' roadshow, jointly organised with the Darau Community Development Leaders Unit (UPPM). He said his team will be travelling from village to village during the roadshow to bring various services to the rakyat, in collaboration with government agencies such as the State Welfare Department and the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living. The National Registration Department is also involved in the programme to assist in settling documentation issues faced by the villagers, he said. Other activities held during the Sunday programme include a Rahmah Sale as well as a Mobile Legends e-sports competition, as he highlighted the need to involve the youth in community events. Also present was UPPM Darau head Abqaree Fawwaz Abekan.
The Star
21-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Sabah needs steady hands at the helm, not those that grab for power, says GRS leader
GRS information chief Datuk Joniston Bangkuai (sixth right) officiating the newly-upgraded Poturidong - Tibabar road. KOTA KINABALU: Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) is not anti-federal, but the coalition believes that the state must be led by its own leaders and free from outside influence, says Datuk Joniston Bangkuai. The GRS information chief said disagreements over seat allocations among parties seeking to form alliances are likely to result in a free-for-all in the upcoming state election. He urged voters to choose stability over political gamesmanship. 'We have seen the damage caused by reckless power plays," he said on Wednesday (May 21), referring to the failed January 2023 attempt to topple the GRS government. "Sabah needs steady hands and sincere leadership. This election is our opportunity to move forward, not backwards,' he added. ALSO READ: All election decisions must go through GRS Supreme Council, says Hajiji Bangkuai, who is also Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) information chief and Kiulu assemblyman, said GRS must be ready for any eventuality, including contesting solo as indicated by Chief Minister and GRS chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. Hajiji had previously said the coalition was prepared to go it alone after Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan signed a declaration agreeing to cooperate in the Sabah election, a move some described as a deliberate snub to GRS. Bangkuai noted that a free-for-all could be a blessing in disguise, as it would allow Sabahans to choose between local parties and those led from Peninsular Malaysia. ALSO READ: Warisan confirms solo contest in Sabah state election 'Sabahans could well treat the upcoming state election as a referendum to choose from GRS, Umno-led Barisan, Pakatan, and Parti Warisan. 'This will be a clear test of whether we want to be led by leaders from local parties or by those who answer to parties headquartered in Kuala Lumpur,' he said at a meet-the-people session in Kg Tibabar after officiating the upgraded Poturidong-Tibabar road. Bangkuai said GRS has proven that Sabah-based coalitions can deliver meaningful development while maintaining a strong working relationship with the Federal Government. He said the increase in the annual federal special grant from RM53mil during Warisan's tenure to RM600mil under GRS was an example. ALSO READ: 'Don't be close-minded', Zahid tells local leaders over Sabah for Sabahans sentiment Another example he cited was the signing of the commercial collaboration agreement between the GRS-led state government and PETRONAS, which brought tangible benefits and increased state revenue. He said good governance, a focused development strategy under the Sabah Maju Jaya initiative, and close ties with Putrajaya had contributed to the state's annual revenue increasing to RM6.9bil, with reserves nearing RM8bil. 'We are not anti-federal, but we believe Sabah must lead itself, with leaders not bound by outside instructions. ALSO READ: 'Sabah for Sabahans' not divisive but a stand for dignity, says Kitingan ( 'GRS is proof that Sabah can work maturely with Putrajaya, and still prioritise the people of Sabah above all,' he said. Bangkuai also addressed past political manoeuvres involving Barisan, Warisan and Parti KDM, describing their joint attempt to topple the Chief Minister in January 2023 as politically ill-intentioned and damaging. 'It was never about leadership, it was about control and self-interest,' he said.
New Straits Times
21-05-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Sabah likely facing a 'free-for-all' election, says GRS info chief
KOTA KINABALU: A free-for-all scenario in the upcoming Sabah state election is likely, says Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) information chief Datuk Joniston Bangkuai. He said the possibility arose from disagreements over seat allocations among parties seeking to form electoral alliances. As such, Joniston stressed that GRS must be prepared for all eventualities, including contesting independently, as stated by Chief Minister and GRS chairman, Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. Hajiji had previously said that GRS was ready to go it alone following the declaration signed between Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Harapan (PH) to cooperate in the Sabah election — a move widely seen as a deliberate snub to GRS. However, Joniston, who is also Kiulu assemblyman, suggested that a multi-cornered contest could be a blessing in disguise. He said such a scenario would allow the people of Sabah to make a clear choice between locally-based coalitions and those led by parties headquartered in Peninsular Malaysia. Speaking at a meet-the-people session in Kampung Tibabar after officiating the upgraded Poturidong-Tibabar road, he said: "Sabahans could treat the upcoming state election as a referendum — to choose between GRS, which is locally rooted, and Peninsular-based parties like the Umno-led BN, PH, and Parti Warisan Plus. "This will be a definitive test of whether we prefer leadership from local-based parties or those answerable to parties in Kuala Lumpur." Joniston, who is also Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) information chief, said GRS had shown that locally-based coalitions were capable of delivering meaningful development while maintaining constructive relations with the federal government. He cited the cordial relationship between the GRS-led state administration and the federal government under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as an example. Joniston said that the annual federal special grant had increased significantly — from RM53 million during Warisan's administration to RM600 million under GRS. Another milestone, he said, was the signing of the Commercial Collaboration Agreement (CCA) between the Sabah government and Petronas, which brought tangible benefits and bolstered state revenue. He attributed Sabah's improved fiscal performance — including an increase in annual revenue to RM6.9 billion and state reserves nearing RM8 billion — to effective governance, a clear development strategy under the Sabah Maju Jaya initiative, and close collaboration with Putrajaya. "We are not anti-federal. But we believe Sabah should lead itself — with leaders not bound by external instructions. "GRS is proof that Sabah can engage maturely with Putrajaya while still placing the interests of its people first," he said. Joniston also addressed past political manoeuvres involving Umno-BN, Warisan, and Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat (KDM), describing their collective attempt to unseat the Chief Minister in January 2023 as politically self-serving and destabilising. "It was never about leadership — it was about control and self-interest," he said. He urged voters to reflect on the attempted power grab and to choose stability over political gamesmanship. "We've seen the damage that reckless power plays can cause. Sabah needs steady leadership and genuine commitment. This election is our chance to move forward — not backwards," he said.
