Latest news with #JoachimGunsalam
Daily Express
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
No deal if GRS not the driver
Published on: Tuesday, May 27, 2025 Published on: Tue, May 27, 2025 Text Size: Joachim said the coalition remains open to discussions but has yet to engage with any party from Peninsular Malaysia. Kota Kinabalu: Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) must be in the driver's seat in any collaboration for the coming state elections, said Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) acting president Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam. Joachim said this when asked to comment on Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar's statement that PKR is aiming for at least 13 seats in the Sabah polls. 'As long as GRS has the absolute majority, then we welcome collaboration with other parties. 'But what's important is that GRS must be in the driver's seat,' he told reporters after a press conference on Sabah Head of State's upcoming birthday celebration at the Ministry of Communications integrated complex. He said GRS must win and stressed the focus should be on the coalition itself rather than its component parties. Joachim said the coalition remains open to discussions but has yet to engage with any party from Peninsular Malaysia. Advertisement He said GRS welcomes healthy competition but is focused on winning as a coalition. He was also asked to comment on Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) secretary general Dato Seri Azmin Ali's statement that Bersatu has idenfied potential seats to contest in the Sabah elections. Joachim, who is also Kundasang Assemblyman, said they are free to do so as Malaysia is a democratic country, and GRS is open for a friendly contest with the other parties. He added that to his knowledge, GRS has not had any talks with Bersatu on election cooperation and specific discussions with Perikatan Nasional (PN). 'If possible, it would be best for GRS to win the seats uncontested, but I don't think so,' he said. On Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) Vice President Datuk Masiung Banah's statement that GRS is aiming for at least 52 state seats, he declined to say how many seats PBS is eyeing out of the figure. 'GRS includes PBS and Star, so we are all in it. My side has been asking for seats, but we will discuss about it. 'What is more important is that we identify which seats the coalition can win. GRS must win. Don't talk about individual parties first – GRS,' he said. Local coalition GRS consists of Gagasan Rakyat, 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). * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
The Star
26-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
GRS must take lead for any political collaboration, says deputy chairman
KOTA KINABALU: Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) must take the lead for any political collaboration ahead of the Sabah polls, says its deputy chairman Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam. "As long as GRS holds the majority, we welcome collaboration with other parties but GRS must be in the driver's seat," said Dr Gunsalam. He was responding to PKR deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar's remarks about the party contesting at least 13 seats in the 17th Sabah polls. Dr Gunsalam also addressed Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Seri Azmin Ali's statement about the identifying seats to contest. "Malaysia is a democratic country. They are free to contest," said the Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) acting president at a press conference at the Ministry of Communications Integrated Complex in Kepayan on Monday (May 26). Dr Gunsalam said there had been no formal discussions yet between GRS and Bersatu or Perikatan Nasional regarding electoral cooperation. In the 2020 Sabah Election, Perikatan, Barisan Nasional and PBS formed a coalition under GRS to contest against the Warisan-Pakatan led government. Following the 2022 General Election, Sabah Chief Minister and GRS chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor left Sabah Bersatu to establish Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah, replacing Bersatu in GRS. Barisan exited the GRS coalition government in January 2023. When asked about Gagasan Rakyat vice-president Datuk Masiung Banah's comment that GRS is targeting up to 52 seats, Dr Gunsalam declined to specify how many seats PBS is eyeing. "GRS includes PBS and STAR, we are all in this together," he said. He added that while PBS has made some seat requests, discussions are ongoing. "GRS must win. Don't talk about individual parties; GRS comes first," he said. Besides Gagasan Rakyat, PBS and Sabah STAR, the other GRS component parties are Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP), Parti Cinta Sabah (PCS), Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah (PHRS), Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and United Sabah National Organisation (Usno).
Malay Mail
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
‘GRS in the driver's seat': PBS stresses coalition leadership ahead of Sabah elections
KOTA KINABALU, May 26 — Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) must be in the driving seat in any collaboration for the coming state elections, said Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) acting president Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam. Joachim said this when asked to comment on Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar's statement that PKR is aiming for at least 13 seats in the Sabah polls. 'As long as GRS has the absolute majority, then we welcome collaboration with other parties. 'But what's important is that GRS must be in the driving seat,' he told reporters after a press conference on Sabah Head of State's upcoming birthday celebration at the Ministry of Communications integrated complex near Kepayan today. He was also asked to comment on Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) secretary general Dato Seri Azmin Ali's statement that Bersatu has idenfied potential seats to contest in the Sabah elections. Joachim, who is also Kundasang assemblyman, said they are free to do so as Malaysia is a democratic country, and GRS is open for a friendly contest with the other parties. He added that to his knowledge, GRS has not had any talks with Bersatu on election cooperation and specific discussions with Perikatan Nasional (PN). 'If possible, it would be best for GRS to win the seats uncontested, but I don't think so,' he said. On Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) vice president Datuk Masiung Banah's statement that GRS is aiming for at least 52 state seats, he declined to say how many seats PBS is eyeing out of the figure. 'GRS includes PBS and Star, so we are all in it. My side has been asking for seats, but we will discuss about it. 'What is more important is that we identify which seats the coalition can win. GRS must win. Don't talk about individual parties first – GRS,' he said. Local coalition GRS consists of Gagasan Rakyat, 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). — The Borneo Post
Daily Express
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
Joachim: GRS open to cooperation as long as majority stable
Published on: Monday, May 26, 2025 Published on: Mon, May 26, 2025 By: Noor Zafira Zayn Text Size: Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) is open to working with other parties as long as it maintains a stable majority, said Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) acting president Datuk Dr. Joachim Gunsalam. 'As long as GRS has a stable majority, we have no issue with collaborating with others as long as GRS leads the direction,' he told reporters today. Joachim, who is also GRS Deputy Chairman, said the coalition remains open to discussions but has yet to engage with any parties from Peninsular Malaysia. On the upcoming Sabah state election, he said GRS welcomes healthy competition but is focused on winning as a coalition. His remarks come after PKR's Nurul Izzah Anwar said her party aims to contest 13 seats in the 17th Sabah State Election while Bersatu's Datuk Seri Azmin Ali confirmed ongoing efforts to identify winnable seats and build alliances in the state. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Barnama
26-05-2025
- Barnama
KPWKM Commended For Leading Advocacy Against Sexual Harassment
TAWAU, May 25 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM) has been commended for its proactive efforts nationwide in raising awareness about sexual harassment. Sabah Deputy Chief Minister II, Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam, said sexual harassment can happen to anyone, regardless of gender, age, race or religion, and is often perpetrated by someone close to the victim. 'Many victims remain silent due to social pressure or simply because they don't know where to seek help. They should take advantage of the Sexual Harassment Redress Tribunal (TAGS) introduced by KPWKM. It provides a fast and low-cost alternative for addressing sexual harassment complaints. 'We all share the responsibility of creating a safe environment and supporting victims in seeking justice,' he said at the closing ceremony of the KPWKM Kembara Kasih 2025 programme and the handing over of the anti-sexual harassment notice last night. Also present was KPWKM Deputy Secretary-General (Operations), Farah Adura Hamidi. Joachim expressed concern over the rising trend of such cases in Malaysia, with 788 cases reported last year compared to 522 in 2023. As of March this year, 214 cases have already been recorded, five of them in Sabah. He praised the impact of the KPWKM Kembara Kasih 2025 programme, which covered six districts across Sabah, starting in Tuaran on May 16, then moving through Papar, Penampang, Lahad Datu, Kunak and ending in Tawau. He said the initiative brought meaningful benefits to key target groups in Sabah, particularly women, children, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities, through 34 programmes. 'Programmes like Ziarah Kasih, which deliver direct aid to clients of the Social Welfare Department and the National Population and Family Development Board, received strong support from the local community.
