KOTA KINABALU: Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and Pakatan Harapan are functioning smoothly in the governing coalition, says state Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew.
"Yes, we are working... in a concerted effort for the benefit of the people. I am not talking about the next state election. It is still far away," Liew told the media on Wednesday (Feb 21) in response to questions about GRS and Pakatan's alignment for the state polls.
"We are working very well as a team," the Sabah Pakatan chairman added.
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Her response follows a push by Pakatan component Upko for GRS, led by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, to take a new approach in political cooperation including sharing of seats in the coming state election.
"This year will be a busy one for us. Right now, we are... working on the ground to achieve our targets," Liew added.
Liew, who is also Api-Api assemblyman, said her focus for the year was to complete the planned development projects in her constituency and other areas where tourism hotspots are located.
On GRS deputy secretary-general Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali's suggestion for the GRS-Pakatan pact to continue in the next state polls, Liew said that it was a "good suggestion" but did not elaborate.
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"I find it useful when we work as a team to implement activities, programmes or projects that concern the local community," she said.
Earlier, Liew attended the Sabah Art Gallery's 40th anniversary at the gallery premises here and launched the Jilin-Sabah International Children and Youth Online Art Exhibition.
Upko president Datuk Ewon Benedick has urged for GRS to be more inclusive in its political cooperation and for its close working relations to be reflected in appointments at grassroots level.