2 days ago
GRS likely to team up with PH, says Masidi
Masidi
PITAS (June 10): Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) shares the same sentiment regarding Sabah Barisan Nasional's (BN) reluctance to team up with the coalition in the upcoming 17th State Election (PRN17).
However, GRS secretary-general Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said they have not made a firm decision on the matter until the Supreme Council meeting, which is expected to take place either this month or early next month.
'We have not made a firm decision. We are yet to hold a meeting of the Supreme Council to decide. But nevertheless, I think the president has met up with all the presidents of the component parties and I'm sure he also met informally the leaderships of the PH.
'After having met and getting feedback from all members as well as feedback from our friendly parties, we should be able to make a decision whether we are going alone or we are teaming up,' he said to reporters when asked whether GRS will work with BN and Pakatan Harapan (PH) to face PRN17.
'But if I'm not mistaken, the Chief Minister, who is also the chairman of the GRS, has emphasised many times that he would like the PH-GRS combination to face the elections,' he added.
Masidi said the whole idea of continuing the PH-GRS alliance is about stability.
Citing Sarawak as an example, Masidi said the state enjoys tremendous political stability, which has clearly contributed to its ability to focus on economic development.
Sabah, he said, would also like to follow suit.
When asked whether GRS would go solo if PH and BN (now aligned at the federal level) decide to join forces for PRN17, Masidi said there are many ways to interpret the situation.
'The Sabah BN/Umno leadership has said many times that they don't want to work with GRS. And unfortunately, the feeling is really mutual.
'And that basically sums up the rather uneasy truth, if ever there is a political truth between all the political parties. Our members and leaders of GRS have said many times that they are quite comfortable with PH, pending allocations and division of seats.
'They find it rather difficult to work with BN for reasons that have been stated many times,' he said after launching SMJ Energy's Education CSR Programme at SMK Kanibongan here on Tuesday.
