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PARTI Kerjasama Anak Negeri (Anak Negeri) has decided not to join the newly formed Gerakan Bersatu Sabah (GBS), saying it does not want to offend Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), the ruling coalition.
GBS is a new political bloc currently being formed by STAR president Jeffrey Kitingan and SAPP president Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee.
Its president Henrynus Amin said that while the party shared the Sabah for Sabahans movement championed by both STAR and SAPP, Anak Negeri would chart its own path in the coming state election.
“Yes, we support the Sabah for Sabahans movement. However, technically and in terms of procedure, it is not easy to decide or allocate seats.
“We respect STAR and SAPP’s long-time commitments to each other and the aspirations of their more experienced candidates.
“We came only recently and are morally obligated to fulfil the aspirations of our new and young candidates. But we do not want to create problems inside GRS,” he said when contacted on Friday.
Henrynus said he had personally informed both Jeffrey and Yong that while Anak Negeri would contest outside GBS, the party shared their political vision of Sabah for Sabahans (S4S).
“It will be a friendly contest among local political parties,” he said.
Party to contest 55 seats
Meanwhile, Anak Negeri election director Jismit Japong confirmed that the party’s supreme council had agreed to field candidates in 55 seats, making it one of the most active local parties preparing for the polls.
He said the decision followed an internal assessment of the party’s machinery, grassroots support and candidate readiness across Sabah.
“We believe this is the best time for Sabahans to choose a local party that truly fights for the state’s rights without depending on national parties,” Jismit said in a statement.
He said Anak Negeri’s manifesto would centre on several key promises – the restoration of Sabah’s 40 percent revenue entitlement, a RM1-per-litre fuel subsidy for Sabahans, a hospital in every parliamentary area, and free education and housing for local citizens.
“These are not mere political promises but a realistic plan that can be implemented if the state government is formed with the true spirit of the people’s struggle,” he said.
A friendly but crowded race
Henrynus’s decision not to align with GBS comes after STAR and SAPP formalised their partnership earlier this month, following their expulsion from GRS on Oct 2.
He had earlier expressed interest to join the bloc.
With Anak Negeri’s entry, the contest for Kadazandusun Murut (KDM) votes is expected to intensify.
Other KDM-based parties remain scattered across different camps, Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) is still in GRS, Upko is part of Pakatan Harapan, while the KDM Party once led by jailed leader Peter Anthony continues to operate independently.
Despite the overlap, Henrynus insisted that Anak Negeri’s campaign would remain amicable.
“We will continue to champion Sabah’s rights without hostility. It will be a friendly contest among local parties,” he said.
The party is expected to announce its full list of candidates soon, including several new faces and professionals joining what Henrynus calls a “people’s movement for genuine change.” - October 24, 2025