Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) is targeting to win more than 15 parliamentary seats in the next General Election to strengthen Sabah’s voice at the federal level.
KOTA KINABALU: Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) is targeting more than 15 parliamentary seats in the upcoming General Election (GE), with its strategy focused on securing victories in potential constituencies.
GRS Secretary-General Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said the strategy was important to ensure support for the coalition could not only be maintained in areas that had shown good performance but also expanded to other parliamentary constituencies.
“GRS, on paper, has the potential to win between 14 and 15 parliamentary seats in Sabah.
“However, that is not our ultimate target because GRS wants to secure a larger number of seats to strengthen Sabah’s voice at the federal level,” he told reporters after attending a GRS Supreme Council meeting chaired by its chairman and Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
The Papar MP said the coalition’s election strategy would also draw on lessons and experience from previous polls, particularly in selecting candidates with strong prospects of winning.
The coalition currently holds seven parliamentary seats, namely Tuaran, Penampang, Papar, Sipitang, Ranau, Batu Sapi and Tawau.
Meanwhile, Armizan said GRS would hold its convention on Oct 18 at Dewan Tun Mustapha in Kudat, with about 2,500 participants from its six component parties expected to attend.
He said key focuses would include reviewing GRS’s achievements since forming the state government and providing an opportunity for each minister to present the direction of their respective ministries.
“The convention has a two-pronged focus. It is not only about discussing the political agenda but also the people as a whole,” he said, adding that other programmes, including engagements between ministers and the people, had also been planned.
On today’s meeting, Armizan said the agenda also included discussions on the 2027 Sabah Budget, with each component party given the opportunity to submit recommendations.
He said the parties could also submit their views and budget aspirations in writing to Sabah Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun.
GRS comprises six component parties, namely Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (PGRS), Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah (PHRS), Parti Cinta Sabah (PCS) and United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (UPKO).
