Kota Kinabalu: Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) confirmed Thursday that Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star) and Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) are no longer part of the coalition after both insisted on contesting under their own symbols in the coming 17th State election (PRN17).
The decision was reached during the GRS Presidential Council meeting chaired by GRS Chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor on Wednesday (Oct 1), which emphasised that all component parties must remain united under a single symbol in facing the polls.
GRS Secretary-General Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun, in a statement, said the nearly two-hour meeting also discussed election preparations, including seat negotiations with Pakatan Harapan (PH).
“The meeting decided that any component party choosing to field candidates under its own party symbol is deemed to have left GRS. Therefore, candidates from such parties will no longer represent GRS in PRN17,” he said.
Masidi said Star President Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan and SAPP President Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee had both conveyed their intention to contest under their respective party symbols, effectively ending their membership in GRS.
He added that Hajiji reminded all components that they must honour the cooperation agreement forged earlier with PH.
“On the principle of unity, GRS must move forward as a single entity, with all candidates contesting under the GRS symbol,” he stressed.
According to Masidi, the Presidents of Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat), Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), Pertubuhan Kebangsaan Sabah Bersatu (Usno), Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah (PHRS) and Parti Cinta Sabah (PCS) respected the decision of Star and SAPP to contest on their own.
He said both Star and SAPP also respected the position of the other components to remain with GRS and continue their strategic cooperation with PH.
“The meeting was conducted in a cordial, sincere and frank atmosphere. All leaders accepted the decision reached through consensus, acknowledging differing views in the spirit of mature democracy.
“GRS will continue to strengthen its election machinery and strategies in preparation for PRN17, with full commitment to ensuring stability and the wellbeing of Sabah,” said Masidi.