Latest news with #PH-GRS
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
GRS yet to finalise PRN17 alliance decision
PITAS: Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) has expressed the same view as Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) in refusing to cooperate for the upcoming 17th Sabah State Election (PRN17). GRS secretary-general Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun, however, said the coalition has yet to make a final decision on any political cooperation until its supreme council meeting, expected to be held later this month or early next month. "We have not held a Supreme Council meeting to decide on this matter yet. "However, I believe the president has met with all the component party presidents, and I'm sure he has also had informal meetings with Pakatan Harapan (PH) leaders. "Only after gathering feedback from all members and component parties can we decide whether to go solo or work together," he said when met by the media after launching the Cinta Sekolah Saya (Love My School) programme for the Pitas district at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Kanibongan on Tuesday. Masidi was responding to questions on whether GRS would collaborate with BN and PH in the coming state election. He also said that the Chief Minister, who is also GRS Chairman, has repeatedly stressed his preference for a PH-GRS alliance going into the election. According to Masidi, the main rationale behind continuing the PH-GRS partnership is to ensure political stability. He cited Sarawak as an example, pointing out that the state enjoys strong political stability, which has clearly contributed to its ability to focus on economic development. When asked whether GRS would proceed independently if PH and BN , currently partners at the federal level decide to join forces for PRN17, Masidi said such a situation could be interpreted in many ways. "BN/Umno Sabah leaders have repeatedly expressed that they do not want to collaborate with GRS. "That's the rather unpleasant reality. "GRS members and leaders have frequently stated that they feel more comfortable with PH while waiting for decisions on allocations and seat distribution.
Borneo Post
2 days ago
- Politics
- Borneo Post
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.
