Sabah’s GRS will stick together post-GE15, says Hajiji
KOTA KINABALU, Nov 10 — Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Hajiji Noor has expressed confidence that the state Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and Barisan Nasional (BN) alliance will remain intact after the general election (GE15) concludes.
Hajiji, who is GRS and Sabah Bersatu chairman, said that all five components in GRS will emerge from GE15 with their ties intact and will continue their working relationship with BN.
“Of course, it is a state government coalition — we are about five parties in the coalition, and we will work with BN.
“We do this for the continuity of the state. We need to be together and have a good relationship in order to carry out the people’s mandate,” he said.
He said this after officiating a new building block at Sekolah Menengah Advent Tamparuli earlier today.
GRS consists of five parties: Sabah Bersatu, Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR), Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) and United Sabah Alliance.
Bersatu, STAR and SAPP are also in the national Perikatan Nasional coalition.
The GRS coalition is navigating some strife with national coalition Perikatan and BN after an elected representative — Beluran incumbent Datuk Ronald Kiandee — broke ranks in the GRS-BN state electoral pact and contested on a PN ticket.
The incident has rocked its agreement with the national BN as well as the internal dynamic between some GRS components.
Meanwhile, Hajiji also said that he would consider declaring November 18 a holiday to allow voters to travel home to vote.
“I will bring this to Cabinet to consider. Let’s not rush into it,” he said.
He also said that the state government would consider declaring a state holiday if GRS sweeps the election.
“If we win big, what’s the harm? We can thank our voters who voted for political stability and show them our appreciation for their support,” he said.
So far, three states — Selangor, Penang and Negri Sembilan — have declared November 18 as a public holiday.
