Kota Kinabalu: Pakatan Harapan (PH) refuted a front page Daily Express report on Monday (June 8) which read “Sabah PH may contest under GRS” as misleading.
PH Sabah Information Chief Chan Foong Hin said it gave the false impression that a formal decision had already been made regarding its electoral symbol.
“The report is misleading as it creates the perception that PH Sabah has resolved to use the GRS logo in upcoming polls. This is far from the truth,” Chan stressed.
He clarified that to date, no conclusive discussions or final decisions have been reached within the coalition concerning either its choice of logo or the structure of any electoral cooperation.
“Until today, no final decision has been made on the use of a logo or the form of electoral collaboration. Any official outcome will only be announced through proper channels once the time is right,” he added.
Chan emphasised that PH Sabah remains guided by its core priorities: political stability, economic progress, and the welfare of the people of Sabah.
All considerations regarding political alliances and election strategy, he noted, will be shaped by these principles to ensure development efforts continue uninterrupted.
While dismissing the claim that a specific logo has been chosen, Chan also left the door open to future cooperation, stating: “It is inaccurate to conclude we have settled on any particular symbol.
“At the same time, we do not rule out any arrangement that can be mutually agreed upon, provided it serves the best interests of the people and maintains the state’s stability.”The coalition also called on all stakeholders, particularly the media, to exercise accuracy in reporting and avoid drawing premature conclusions while discussions are still ongoing.
“We urge everyone to report facts correctly and not jump to interpretations ahead of the negotiation process,” Chan concluded.
Nowhere in the Daily Express report does it state in no uncertain terms that Sabah Pakatan Harapan WILL be using the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) symbol.
Neither is there any suggestion in the report that a decision has been reached,The headline only says “may”, meaning it may or may not depending on the outcome of discussions, as explained in the opening paragraphs.
At best, it is still a speculation and the outcome will be known in due course. Chan, himself, admits there will be negotiations held.
If it was a case of a formal decision having already been reached, the headline would have said so clearly. Therefore, the headline that appeared reflects accurately the situation at this point in time and any suggestion to the contrary is one of perception.
