Break-up with Sabah BN leaves Hajiji with weak majority

KOTA KINABALU – Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN)’s exit from the ruling state coalition has left Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) with a weak majority.

GRS now only has 29 seats with 40 seats needed to form a simple majority.

While BN has 18 seats, its chairman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin said only five of its assemblymen are not aligned with the top party leaders’ decision at the moment.

The Vibes has reliably learnt GRS can only hold up to 36 seats if standalone parties such as Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah support them.

However, with BN’s inclination to cooperate with Warisan, they can accumulate up to 37 seats, according to BN sources.

“This leaves Pakatan Harapan’s seven assemblymen as kingmaker,” said the source.

There are currently 79 assemblymen in the state assembly, with seven nominated assemblymen.

Sabah PH leaders maintained that they do not support a backdoor government, but would agree to the formation of a new government if it follows constructive procedures and is in accordance with the law. – The Vibes, January 6, 2023