KOTA KINABALU: The eight-party Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) has postponed its key meeting, originally scheduled for Sunday, to discuss seat-sharing for the upcoming state election due to the unavailability of some leaders, says state secretary-general, Datuk Masidi Manjun.
"Some party leaders are busy with the current parliamentary sitting," Masidi said when contacted.
He added that no alternative date has been set for the meeting.
"We are in no hurry," he said when asked whether there was sufficient time for the coalition to finalise seat-sharing arrangements ahead of the state election, which must be called by September this year.
Observers and GRS insiders anticipate tough negotiations among component parties, not only in dividing the 73 seats among themselves but also in accommodating potential allies, Sabah Pakatan Harapan and Sabah Barisan Nasional.
GRS, led by Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) under Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, has publicly supported an alliance with Sabah Pakatan and welcomed defectors from Sabah Barisan, commonly referred to as "Plus".
The defectors sided with the GRS-led state government after Sabah Umno, under Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, withdrew its support for GRS in January 2023. Hajiji retained power with the backing of Sabah Pakatan and the defecting Barisan assemblymen.
However, Hajiji faces internal pressure from within GRS, with at least three partners—Sabah STAR, led by Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan; Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP), led by Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee; and Usno, led by Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia—publicly urging GRS to contest the election independently.
Insiders also reveal that Jeffrey and Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), led by acting president Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam, are advocating for their parties to contest up to 25 seats designated for the native Kadazandusun, Murut, and Rungus communities under the GRS banner.
GRS insiders indicate that there are limited seats available outside the coalition, and there is increasing support for GRS to forge a political alliance that mirrors the federal unity government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Currently, GRS holds 42 seats, while Sabah Pakatan has seven seats, with two suspended Umno assemblymen aligning with the GRS government. Sabah PAS remains a partner in the existing GRS coalition government.
Sabah Umno has 11 assemblymen, the opposition Parti Warisan, led by Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, holds 14 seats, and Parti KDM, led by Datuk Peter Anthony, controls two assembly seats.
Bung remains opposed to a political alliance with GRS and Hajiji but is open to working with Sabah Pakatan and other local parties.
