Kota Kinabalu: Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) Information Chief Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan said the statement by Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee regarding Sabah Progressive Party’s (SAPP) intention to run in the coming election under the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) logo is the latter’s own personal position.
“We appreciate his (Yong’s) position, but it does not represent the collective view of the GRS,” said Nizam in a statement, Monday.
Nizam said the GRS leadership has not even discussed the State seats for the election because the GRS-Plus Unity Government’s current priority is to implement all the State and people’s development agenda in accordance with the Sabah Maju Jaya Roadmap.
“The State Government is stable and functioning well under the direction of Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, who has the backing of all parties from GRS and Sabah PH. Our report on August 14, 2023.
SPONSORED CONTENT Daily Express members: Enjoy 1 for 1 signature cocktails and more at Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu Kota Kinabalu: DAILY EXPRESS is partnering with Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu to offer an exclusive deal for our members. Read more “We value and are grateful for the support provided by Sabah PH leaders, especially in view of the political crisis that Parti Warisan and some Sabah Umno leaders started earlier this year on Langkah Kinabalu or Kinabalu Move.
“The support and cooperation that has been forged in the GRS Plus Unity Government today can be strengthened and continued for the sake of the people and the interests of Sabah,” he said.
In the 2020 Sabah election, SAPP did not win any seat, while Pakatan Harapan secured eight seats.
Earlier, Sabah DAP called on the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah Government to clarify its position and take disciplinary action on Yong who, it claimed was attempting to destabilise the Unity Government.
Democratic Action Party Socialist Youth (DAPSY) Sabah Secretary, Chan Long Wei, said GRS would be seen as ungrateful for Pakatan Harapan (PH) Sabah’s support if it allowed Perikatan Nasional-friendly Sabah Progressive Party to contest under the GRS banner in the coming State election. DAP is a component of PH.
He reminded GRS that PH Sabah played a crucial role during Sabah’s political crisis last January when GRS faced a challenge by an Umno faction in Barisan Nasional which attempted to overthrow the Hajiji-led State Government by teaming up with Parti Warisan.
“Pakatan Harapan assisted GRS in maintaining political stability during the crisis, adhering to the principle of opposing any backdoor government from taking over.
If this assistance is not appreciated, then the cooperation can cease as respect should be both ways,” he said, in a statement.
“But it appears GRS does not reciprocate this gratitude. Following the six peninsula state elections on Saturday, Yong has declared intention to contest in the elections, while insisting that peninsula-based parties should stay out.
“This raises questions about GRS and whether it is prepared to turn against Pakatan Harapan and the Unity Government. Is it a genuine intention of GRS or merely a self-serving manoeuvre by SAPP?
He asked if the statements by Yong reflect the sentiments of GRS with the aim of sowing discord within PH Sabah and prepare the ground to work with PN in the next Sabah elections.
Chan stated that the situation is clear as Yong openly proclaimed his position in PN and that he is working to destabilise the Unity Government.
“Furthermore, Yong shamelessly demanded for GRS to contest all the state seats.
This raises suspicions of a hidden agenda, possibly to form an alliance with PN post-election and undermine the Unity Government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Chan said Sabahans remember the peninsula pre-election scene when Chief Minister and GRS Chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, appeared alongside Pakatan Harapan Chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to showcase unity and support for the Unity Government’s candidates.
“In contrast, Yong was seen at the PN supreme council meeting with Kedah Menteri Besar Mohd Sanusi Md Nor, signifying a clear stance. Based on the results of the six state elections, PN’s influence is gradually infiltrating urban constituencies.
“Whether this tide will reach Sabah is a prevailing topic. The fact remains that PN has the Beluran parliamentary seat held by Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee.
“It’s undeniable that PN will contest in the upcoming Sabah elections, and for sure they will be playing the divisive card on Sabahans.
“Presently, as SAPP remains with PN, the people of Sabah will judge for themselves and make their decision in the next election.
“As for PH, we are ready to defend our seats vigorously, stand with Anwar and the Unity Government to safeguard Malaysia’s diversity and protect Sabah’s harmonious ethnic and religious relations,” he said.
He said DAP and PH Sabah are focused on rebuilding the economy together with the Federal Government for Sabah and Malaysia.
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