Chief Minister and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor receiving souvenior from Parti Bersatu Sabah acting president Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam, while PBS founder and Premier Advisor Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan looks on at the party’s 39th PBS Annual Delegates Conference on Tuesday (Oct 29).
KOTA KINABALU: All eight component parties of Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) are expected to meet next month to discuss seat allocations for the upcoming 17th Sabah Election, scheduled for 2025.
"We will be holding our GRS meeting soon, Insyallah (God willing), next month," said GRS chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor at the 39th Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) Annual Delegates Meeting, held at the KadazanDusun Cultural Association (KDCA) Hall in Penampang on Tuesday (Oct 28).
Also present was PBS founder and Premier Advisor, Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan.
PBS acting president Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam, in his welcoming remarks, emphasised the importance of early negotiations on seat allocations within GRS to prevent vote-splitting or overlap, which could benefit opposition parties.
Hajiji affirmed this commitment, stating, "We will do that, and that is our intention."
He further highlighted 2025 as a pivotal year, where responsibility will return to the people.
"As the government, GRS and PH Plus will continue serving Sabah tirelessly. Approaching the state elections, we must refine our strategies, selecting candidates who are capable, trustworthy, and sincere to fulfil our shared mission," he said.
Meanwhile, Dr Gunsalam stressed the importance of GRS championing Sabahans’ rights by contesting as many seats as possible and resisting dominance by external parties that may not fully grasp the state’s aspirations.
"PBS is a highly influential party in Sabah, and we place strong emphasis on unity among the member parties within PBS, as they are all driven by local aspirations. However, this does not mean we do not cooperate with national parties.
"For the sake of the people of Sabah and our country, collaboration to establish political stability is crucial so we can plan development programmes for the people, especially those living in rural areas who need support from the state government," Hajiji replied.
He said within GRS, they are united under one roof and a common vision, where although coming from different backgrounds, our shared objective is a united, progressive, dynamic, and peaceful Sabah.
"We must strengthen our ties, understand the people’s needs, and embrace our diversity. Differences are not barriers, rather, they are strengths that, if nurtured, solidify us. This cohesion forms the foundation of GRS, a vital component of our state government.
"GRS and PH Plus are committed to protecting all, from majorities to minorities. In any struggle, differences in perspective occasionally arise, which in politics can create scenes. However, it’s essential to remain open-minded, foster understanding, and strengthen unity for a better future," he said.
In another development, Hajiji downplayed Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s recent statement on BN’s finalised cooperation with Pakatan Harapan for the upcoming Sabah elections, calling it his personal view.
"We believe in the strength of GRS. We will see how things progress, but we are focused on unity within GRS and its partners in the GRS-PH Plus administration, which has proven to be solid, smooth, and harmonious," Hajiji said.
He added that GRS remains open to discussions with allies from all parties, including Barisan Nasional members who chose to support the GRS-led governing coalition. This follows a 2023 move by Umno Sabah chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, who unsuccessfully attempted to unseat Hajiji. The Chief Minister retained the support of the majority of Sabah's 73 assembly members.
Among his supporters, Deputy Chief Minister and Works Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya and four other Umno assemblymen - Datuk James Ratib (Sugut), Datuk Jasnih Daya (Pantai Dalit), Datuk Mohd Arsad Bistari (Tempasuk), and Hamild Awang (Balung), reinforced Hajiji’s position.
While Shahelmey opted to remain in Umno to comply with the federal anti-hopping law, the other four resigned from the party to join GRS, led by Hajiji, as the law had not yet been enacted in the Sabah legislative assembly.
