GABUNGAN Rakyat Sabah (GRS) had on May 9 accepted United Sabah National Organisation (Usno) as its new component party.
Usno is Sabah’s oldest party set up by first Governor Tun Datu Mustapha in 1961 and ruled the state following the first state election in 1967 until 1975. It has since undergo a rebranding.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, who is also GRS Chairman said the applications by three other parties, namely Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat (KDM), Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and Parti Cinta Sabah (PCS), have yet to be decided.
“We truly appreciate their (KDM, LDP and PCS) applications to join GRS, but we, in a consensus, feel that we still need a little more time to interact and increase understanding…we need to know each other better first.
“Their applications were received one or two months ago, but our rationale in accepting Usno is because it applied over a year ago, in January 2021.
“To show our appreciation to the desire of KDM, LDP and PCS to join GRS, we will involve them in GRS activities and we will invite them to the GRS official launch ceremony,” he said.
Hajiji said the meeting also agreed to appoint the chairman and coordinating committee of GRS in each parliamentary division in Sabah.
“Besides that, we also agreed to form a solidarity cooperation committee for GRS and Barisan Nasional (BN).
“The State Government is made up of GRS and BN. The purpose of setting up the committee is to unite the parties not only in GRS but also BN so that we can face the parliamentary election together. If possible, there will be no clash between GRS and BN, this is the main purpose,” said Hajiji.
His three deputy chairmen, namely Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) President Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili, Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star) President Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan and Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) President Datuk Yong Teck Lee were also present.
Also present were GRS Secretary-General Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun, Information Chief Datuk Joniston Bangkuai and Treasurer-General Ardino Diris, among others.
Meanwhile, Hajiji said GRS is intact despite Ongkili was reported to have said that PBS has yet to decide on a political collaboration with GRS to face the 15th General Election (GE15).
“Dr Maximus (Ongkili) is also here today. This is proof that the relationship of the parties within the GRS is intact. So, let’s not listen to the stories out there,” said the Chief Minister.
Ongkili said all he had said to the media recently was that “we are ardent members of GRS and that once we have made an alignment, it is a faithful alignment. Unless, I said, against all odds, we make a decision contrary to the common interests of all members.
“But, of course, we will continue to be faithful to the (GRS) Chairman and the whole team in GRS and the State Government. So we will make sure that we will support and will work hard and ensure that we will win as many seats for the Parliament whenever it is held in Sabah.
“So rest assured, I give this assurance,” he said.
Meanwhile, Hajiji said GRS would be officially launched at an event to be held at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC), here, on May 26.
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