GRS keeping options open
KOTA KINABALU: Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) has not ruled out the possibility of political alliances in the coming state election – if there is a leadership change within Sabah Umno.
However, GRS secretary-general Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun gave a noncommittal response when asked about the prospect, saying: 'Politics is a game that makes the impossible possible.'
While the remark stopped short of confirming anything, he stressed that GRS is weighing a variety of scenarios, including possible friendly contests with other parties, depending on how the political landscape evolves.
A final decision on whether to contest solo or collaborate is expected to be made at the GRS supreme council meeting, scheduled either at the end of this month or early July.
Masidi, who is also state-owned oil and gas company SMJ Energy Sdn Bhd (SMJE) chairman, said no firm decision has been reached yet, but Chief Minister and GRS chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor has already met with presidents of the Sabah-based coalition's component parties and held informal discussions with Pakatan Harapan leaders.
'The (Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah) president (Hajiji) has gathered feedback from party members and friendly parties. Once the council meets, we should be able to decide whether GRS will go solo or form a coalition,' Masidi said at SMJE's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, in collaboration with MyKasih Foundation at SMK Kanibongan in Pitas on Tuesday.
He stressed Hajiji's stand that the state election should be contested under a united GRS banner, in line with its emphasis on maintaining political stability.
'Political stability is crucial. One of the reasons Sarawak is ahead in many aspects is because of its consistent political stability, which has allowed the state to focus on development. That is what we want for Sabah too.
'You cannot avoid politics, but politics alone cannot bring benefits unless it is accompanied by economic and developmental progress. Over the past few years, we have experienced relative political stability.
'That, along with less infighting, should now translate into achievements that would have seemed unimaginable just a few years ago,' he added.
Masidi also acknowledged that GRS leaders are more inclined to work with Pakatan than Barisan Nasional (BN), citing long-standing tensions with Sabah Umno.
'Sabah Umno's leadership has made it clear they are not keen to work with GRS, and unfortunately, the feeling is mutual. That pretty much sums up the rather uneasy truce, if there is any political truce among all the political parties.
'Many of our leaders are comfortable working with Pakatan and maintaining the allocation and division of seats, but find it rather difficult to work with Barisan for reasons that have been mentioned many times.
'You can have many scenarios, one of them is maybe strike an agreement with Pakatan, and perhaps have a friendly match between GRS and Barisan.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Express
5 hours ago
- Daily Express
People's welfare remains Sabah government's priority: CM
Published on: Saturday, June 21, 2025 Published on: Sat, Jun 21, 2025 Text Size: Musa, Hajiji and others during the cake-cutting ceremony. – Pic by CMD KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the State Government remains focused on prioritising the welfare of the people. He stressed that core infrastructure such as water supply, electricity, and roads will continue to be upgraded, especially in rural and interior areas. Speaking at the official State Banquet for the 74th official birthday of Head of State Tun Musa Aman, Hajiji said public service delivery must be efficient, transparent, and people-oriented. He reminded civil servants to carry out their duties with sincerity, discipline, and integrity at all times. Hajiji said the public's trust in the government must be honoured through responsible and effective governance. He reaffirmed the State's commitment to strengthening integrity and good governance in collaboration with enforcement agencies, including the police, National Audit Department, and MACC. Advertisement Hajiji added that accountability and integrity are essential pillars in safeguarding Sabah's sovereignty, prosperity, and stability. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
The Star
7 hours ago
- The Star
Rights violations persist a decade after UN report
A decade after a landmark UN report concluded North Korea committed crimes against humanity, a UN official investigating rights in the isolated state said many abuses continue, exacerbated by Covid-19-era controls that have yet to be lifted. James Heenan, who represents the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Seoul, said he is still surprised by the continued prevalence of executions, forced labour and reports of starvation in the authoritarian country. North Korea's embassy in London did not answer phone calls seeking comment. A Reuters investigation in 2023 found leader Kim Jong-un had spent much of the Covid-19 pandemic building a massive string of walls and fences along the previously porous border with China, and later built fences around the capital of Pyongyang. On Wednesday, SI Analytics, a Seoul-based satellite imagery firm, released a report noting North Korea is renovating a key prison camp near the border with China, possibly in response to international criticism, while simultaneously strengthening physical control over prisoners under the pretence of facility improvement. Heenan said his team has talked to over 300 North Koreans who fled their country in recent years, and many expressed despair. 'Sometimes we hear people saying they sort of hope a war breaks out because that might change things,' he said. A number of those interviewees will speak publicly for the first time next week as part of an effort to put a human face on the UN findings. 'It's a rare opportunity to hear from people publicly what they want to say about what's happening in the DPRK,' Heenan said. While human rights has traditionally been a politically volatile subject not only for Pyongyang but for foreign governments trying to engage with the nuclear-armed North, Heenan said issues like prison camps need to be part of any engagement on a political settlement. 'There's no point self-censoring on human rights because... no one's fooled,' Heenan said. — Reuters
Malay Mail
8 hours ago
- Malay Mail
As police look on, student demonstraters take to KK streets to call for reform (VIDEO)
KOTA KINABALU, June 21 — The steady beating of drums and rousing chants calling for clean governance could be heard throughout Kota Kinabalu's central business district streets today, as a student-led anti-corruption demonstration walked the streets escorted by uniformed policemen. It's a rare sight for most as such protests, complete with megaphones, banners, placards and signs, are usually not allowed by authorities and limited to restricted areas. A group of some 100 or so people consisting mostly of students from University Malaysia Sabah and civic society gathered in front of the Suria Sabah shopping mall for the second edition of its Gempur Rasuah Sabah rally. Unlike the first time they had their rally where they marched from UMS to the state administrative building along a busy highway before they were stopped, the police presence this time was much more congenial, without the Light Strike Force unit or heavy arms — mostly helping keep public order on the busy roads. The police had approved their gathering on June 18 with the caveat they adhered to certain rules. Students and civil society groups accompanied by policemen took to the streets of Kota Kinabalu calling for clean and fair governance, transparency and a solution to their water shortage issue. — Picture by Julia Chan 'It's quite good to see this. It's a normal part of democracy and freedom of expression. It's good to see the police presence and actually helping them. No guns, no attacks, no abuse or disorderly conduct. 'I think it's good for the government to allow this to happen,' said Datuk Ahmad Abdul Rahman, Sabah's former State Assembly speaker who was passing by in the vicinity when he saw the commotion. Many motorists who passed by the group also honked their horns in solidarity with the group. Organised by student coalition Suara Mahasiswa, the Gempur Rasuah Sabah 2.0 rally participants carried signs denouncing corruption, calling for action against certain politicians and also demanding the authorities solve the water shortage issue which has been plaguing the university for months. The group left the mall entrance at around 2.30pm and walked towards the main market, when it started pouring. Stopping briefly to put on raincoats, they continued their march towards Centre Point shopping centre before ending up at Lintasan Deasoka near Gaya Street, where organisers have announced plans for a 24-hour sit-in. A passerby, former Sabah state assembly speaker Datuk Ahmad Abdul Rahman said such peaceful demonstrations was a sign of a healthy democracy. — Picture by Julia Chan A minor blip occurred when the group came across some people holding up a banner depicting an opposition political party. Some tension occurred between the two groups but was quickly dismissed with the help of police. Its leader Muhammad Fadhli Muhammad Kasim said that the students did not want to have any political connections. He also called for specific action from authorities, including investigations into alleged misconduct involving the Sabah Water Department (JANS) that had led to their water issue, a fully autonomous Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) office in the state, and investigation into the appointment of the state governor. Not one kilometre away, another smaller, less lively group calling themselves Gerakan Anak Muda dan Mahasiswa Anak Sabah (Gammas), held a demonstration lasting less than 30 minutes at Chong Tien Vun park. Claiming to be students of the university, their spokesperson Noridi @ Noraidi Maya insisted their gathering is not a counter-rally, but to express solidarity with Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor and 'defend the integrity of the government' after the many beneficial policies and provisions for students. Gammas's gathering did not obtain police approval but the gathering remained peaceful throughout. They dispersed shortly after reading out their mission statement to the media.
