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.

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