Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Pakatan Harapan (PH) will defend seats it currently holds in Sabah when parliamentary elections are called and will likely contest under the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) banner, said Chairman Datuk Mustapha Sakmud (pic).
He said discussions on electoral cooperation are still ongoing and no final decision has been made.
There has also been a leadership reshuffle in preparation of a possible early general election.
Datuk Ruji Ubi has been appointed as Secretary, Datuk Chan Foong Hin as Information Chief and Irwan Shah Mustapa as Treasurer.
The coalition retained Zaidi Jatil as youth chief, Datuk Jannie Lasimbang as women chief, and Datuk Peto Galim as election director at an annual general meeting held at a hotel, Sunday.
He said the inclusion of Ruji, who had served as secetary general in several ministries, would help reinforce administrative and operational readiness.
“We cannot predict when the general election will be called, but preparations must begin now. The restructuring is aimed at strengthening our machinery and ensuring we are fully prepared,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mustapha said they welcomed the federal government’s interim special grant of RM1.5 billion but reiterated its firm stance that the full 40pc revenue entitlement for Sabah must be implemented.
“While this is the highest interim payment in history, it does not replace Sabah’s constitutional right. We unanimously stress that the full 40pc must be realised.
“Engagements with both state and federal authorities, including the Finance Ministry, to expedite its implementation will continue,” he said.
Deputy chief Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe urged Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to resolve the issue decisively.
“It is time to fulfil the commitment. Be the best Prime Minister in Malaysia’s history and do the right thing for Sabah,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mustapha downplayed the impact of recent defections involving two PKR division chiefs from Tuaran and Semporna who left for Parti Bersama Malaysia.
“Both divisions remain operational and intact as their committees are still sufficient to function,” he said.
“Even parties that have been here for a long time face local challenges. It is not easy for outside parties to gain ground,” he said.
