Local parties can govern Sabah without straining federal ties: Joniston

LocalPolitics
14 May 2025 • 2:57 PM MYT
Daily Express
Daily Express

Daily Express Online (Malaysia) is Sabah's top-ranked & most viewed English news site. It is also Sabah's leading & most circulated daily English newspaper.

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By: Sabah Publishing House Sdn Bhd

KIULU: A state government led by local parties does not hinder strong federal ties, said GRS information chief Datuk Joniston Bangkuai (pic).

Joniston, who is also Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister, cited Sarawak’s GPS coalition as proof that local governance can coexist with federal cooperation.

Speaking in Kiulu, he said GRS’s potential solo run in the state election reflects a principled move aligned with the people’s aspirations.

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');});He added that, like Sarawak, Sabah can thrive under local leadership while sustaining stable federal relations.

The remarks come amid GRS’s preparations for the state election, following calls for broader coalition cooperation by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.