SANDAKAN: Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) will hold discussions with Pakatan Harapan (PH) regarding cooperation in preparation for the 17th State Election (PRN17).
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, who announced this, Saturday, said no date has been set yet for the discussion.
“We are currently in government, and God willing, we will hold talks with PH in the near future,” he said, at the 2025 GRS (Gagasan Rakyat) Sungai Sibuga Division Hari Raya Open House at the Sri Libaran Multipurpose Hall. The GRS chairman was asked whether PH leaders had already met with GRS to discuss the possibility of cooperation ahead of PRN17.
Hajiji also reiterated his stand on who should initiate cooperation with other coalitions or parties, following Barisan Nasional (BN) Sabah’s recent announcement of its collaboration with PH Sabah.
He said as the party leading the current GRS-PH Plus Government, it is up to them to decide who their partners would be for the upcoming election.
“The State Government is GRS-PH Plus, that’s clear—but in politics, we look for what is best to unite the people. We want political stability in Sabah.
“So, regardless, our doors are not closed to those who wish to work with us.’
Sabah Umno head Datuk Bung Moktar radin said recently that Barisan Nasional of which it is a component, would be cooperating with Pakatan Harapan, causing a stir in both camps, claiming it had already been decided in a meeting in Penang last year.
PH components DAP and PKR said there was nothing final on who should be partnering who.
At the end of the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting last Thursday, Hajiji hinted that GRS would still prefer PH as its cooperation partner despite BN Sabah announcing a collaboration with PH.
Meanwhile, around 5,000 guests attended the Hari Raya celebration, which was enlivened with musical and dance performances, along with the presentation of contributions to 74 students, teachers and staff of a Maahad Tahfiz, as well as orphans.
Also present were State Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Ariffin Mohd Arif, State Community Development and People’s Wellbeing Minister Datuk James Ratib, State Local Government and Housing Assistant Minister Datuk Isnin Aliasnih and Assistant Rural Development Minister Datuk Samad Jamri.
Gagasan Rakyat leaders in attendance included Secretary-General Datuk Mohamed Razali Mohamed Razi, Women’s Chief, Datuk Redonah Bahanda, Youth Women’s Chief, Miss Emmie M. Idang, Supreme Council Member, Datuk Awang Kadin Tang, and Gagasan Rakyat Sungai Sibuga Division Chief, Datuk Amirshah Yaakub.
Hajiji also attended the Hari Raya Open House hosted by appointed Assemblyman Datuk Jaffari Waliam in Kampung Kenangan Manis and presented letters of appointment to the Village Development and Security Committees (JKKK) of Kampung Semawang and Kampung Jaya Bakti in the Gum-Gum constituency.