BN Sabah open to GRS ties, but cautious amid past political lessons
KOTA KINABALU: Barisan Nasional (BN) Sabah remains open to working with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), but is taking a cautious stance shaped by past political experience.
Sabah Umno Information Chief Datuk Suhaimi Nasir said shaping Sabah's future is less about the number of parties at the table and more about forming a coalition that delivers stability, integrity, and long-term development for the people.
"Sabah Umno would like to clarify that BN remains open to the possibility of cooperation.
"However, any decision to form a political alliance must be guided by the interests of the people, state stability, and lessons from past political episodes, especially the 16th State Election," he said in a statement.
He was responding to GRS secretary general Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun's statement that GRS respected BN's reluctance to work with them.
After two years forming government, Sabah BN chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar had withdrawn its support towards GRS' chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
Suhaimi said that the then cooperation resulted in political consequences that were detrimental to BN, including issues concerning integrity, trust, and clarity of shared direction.
"It was not merely a matter of ideological differences but also involved questions of political honesty and consistency in leadership.
"Therefore, Umno and Sabah BN's approach this time is clear: any form of cooperation must be determined objectively, rationally, and strategically.
"We will not repeat past mistakes, and we will not allow Sabah Umno to once again be placed in a political situation that sidelines the voices of our grassroots," Suhaimi said.
GRS chairman and Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor has previously said that the ruling state coalition has yet to decide on its election alliances.
The Sabah state election is expected to be held later this year.
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