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GABUNGAN Rakyat Sabah (GRS) is expected to continue its alliance with parties currently forming the Sabah state government as it prepares for Malaysia’s 16th General Election (PRU16), anticipated next year.
Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) Chief Information Officer Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan said the move is aimed at safeguarding the Unity Government established following the 17th Sabah State Election (PRN17) on 29 November.
He stressed that leaders within GRS and its component parties, including Gagasan Rakyat, are committed to ensuring the continuity of the administration led by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
"So far, we will defend the Unity Government led by Hajiji in Sabah. Therefore, we will continue the existing cooperation, including with Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN), which are indeed part of the current Sabah government.
"Most importantly, we want to ensure this government remains strong, and so far the cooperation has been running smoothly. In addition, we will also ensure good cooperation with the Federal Government; we are comfortable with the current situation," he said.
Nizam was responding to questions regarding the strategic direction of GRS and Gagasan Rakyat for the 16th General Election (PRU16), including whether the coalition would contest independently or maintain alliances, as it did following the 17th Sabah State Election (PRN17).
He was speaking after a breaking-of-fast event with Sabah media on Tuesday.
The November state election saw GRS return to power with the support of Pakatan Harapan, Barisan Nasional, the United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (UPKO), and several independent representatives.
During the PRN17 campaign, GRS cooperated only with Pakatan Harapan but faced multi-cornered contests, clashing with Barisan Nasional in more than 40 seats, UPKO in over 20 seats, and independent candidates across most of the more than 50 constituencies it contested.
Separately, Nizam revealed that Gagasan Rakyat is expected to hold a special general assembly in the near future to deliberate and approve a proposed restructuring of the party.
The restructuring would shift the party’s divisional framework from state constituency (DUN)-based divisions to parliamentary constituencies, a proposal that has already been discussed at the party’s Supreme Council level.
"We agree to restructure Gagasan Rakyat in order to update and further strengthen the party as the backbone of the Unity Government in Sabah.
"It will make it easier for Gagasan Rakyat to carry out any party activities, thereby complementing our government," he said.
Under the proposed changes, the party’s current 73 divisions based on state constituencies would be consolidated into 26 divisions aligned with parliamentary seats, comprising 25 in Sabah and one in Labuan. - March 18, 2026