Kota Kinabalu: Usno is free to leave the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) if it feels the ruling coalition cannot meet its demands or has been belittled, two Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) divisions said, Wednesday.
Gagasan Rakyat Bingkor Deputy Division Chief Rafie Robert and Kiulu Deputy Chief, Datuk George Teo said unity among GRS components is important for victory in the coming state election.
“But, if you are dissatisfied…don’t force yourself to stay…just leave. If your intentions are no longer aligned with GRS, it’s time to go. This coalition was not built to serve personal interests, but the rakyat’s,” said Rafie.
window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []};googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.defineSlot('/22826383987/dailyexpress_inline', [1, 1], 'gpt-passback').addService(googletag.pubads());googletag.enableServices();googletag.display('gpt-passback');});George reminded Usno that it was rejected 100 per cent by the people in the last State election. “However, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor gave Usno and its president Tan Sri Pandikar Amin a lifeline by accepting it into the GRS fold and appointing him TAED Chairman because it was a local party.
“Pandikar should be grateful, instead of making threats and demands.
“If you feel suffocated being in the coalition please leave and make yourself happy. No one will also stop Usno from contesting all 73 state seats,” he said.
They were responding to Pandikar’s statement that it may contest solo in the election which must be held by November.
Rafie said it is to be expected that as the election draws closer, some who have been quiet the past four years would suddenly wake up and issue threats and demands to feel important.
“But where were they the past four years?” he asked, adding GRS was established on the principles of mutual trust and shared responsibilities. “It is a coalition formed through consensus, not coercion or intimidation.”
In the 2020 State Election, Usno was wiped out and Pandikar, himself, lost the Pintasan seat to a younger opponent he labelled as inexperienced.
Rafie said there also appears to be a concentration of power among a few within Usno held tightly by its leadership.
“Hence, demanding fairness within GRS while not practising it within Usno is a contradiction.
“True leadership is demonstrated in challenging times. Those who remain steadfast in adversity are the ones who earn the public’s trust. Those who retreat or sow discord when their expectations cannot be met reveal their true priorities,” he said.
“In any coalition, no one single party can get what they want. It’s all about coming to a consensus and making sacrifices for the bigger interest of GRS…not for personal glory or satisfaction. So decided whether to toe the line or leave,” said George.
Pandikar had said that any questions as to why Usno might consider going solo in the election should be directed at GRS leaders. “You should ask the Chief Minister, ask Jeffrey, ask Masidi, ask Yong Teck Lee.
“If I am forced to do it, I would have no choice,” Pandikar said.
During Usno’s Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house in Sandakan last weekend, Pandikar voiced dissatisfaction over some GRS component leaders questioning Usno’s right to demand seats.
“I am not satisfied when I hear friends asking how can Usno ask for seats when they say we have no movement, no support on the ground.”
He said Sabah’s younger voters are increasingly drawn to a Sarawak-style model, where local parties lead without external interference.
“Voters today are not like five or 10 years ago. Before, if you just wore a songkok and stood under the Barisan Nasional logo, you would win. Now, even big parties can lose to independents,” he said.
Besides Usno, GRS now comprises Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah, Parti Bersatu Sabah, Star, Sabah Progressive Party, Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah, Liberal Democratic Party and Parti Cinta Sabah.
Usno joined GRS in May 2022 even though it holds no state or parliamentary seats.