Kota Kinabalu: Seat allocation between Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and Pakatan Harapan (PH) will be finalised soon, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
“God willing, the seat distribution will be finalised soon. When we work together with our partners (PH), we will give them full support,” he said.
He said the cooperation between GRS and PH was a joint decision made by the coalition’s leadership.
“This cooperation is a collective decision within GRS,” he said, adding it is up to PH whether it wants to use own logo or GRS logo.
“That we leave to PH. I cannot speak on their behalf. What I can say is only about GRS.”Hajiji said the State Government now functions as a GRS-PH administration with a strong working relationship with the Federal Government.
“The State Government is now a GRS-PH Government. Relations between the State and the Federal Government are very good. During this Unity Government period, we received nine devolution of powers under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), something that has never happened before.
“This shows the good relationship between the State and the Federal Governments must continue. We must realise that this relationship is vital for Sabah’s future and development,” he said.
According to Hajiji, maintaining harmony with the Federal Government is essential for both State and national interests.
“Why should we be hostile towards the Federal Government? That is also our government. While we demand and defend State rights, we must also safeguard national interests. That is my principle – we must not damage national interests in the name of defending State interests. That would be wrong,” he stressed.
When asked if the cooperation also involved Barisan Nasional (BN), Hajiji said, “No, we did not mention any cooperation with Barisan Nasional.”Commenting on the status of Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star) and Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP), he explained that both parties had decided to use their own logos.
“We held a meeting and Star and SAPP have chosen to use their own logos. Therefore, the decision of the GRS Presidential Council is that any party within GRS that uses its own logo will automatically cease to be part of GRS,” he said.
On the position of Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), Hajiji expressed confidence that PBS will remain with GRS.
“We are very confident that PBS is with us and its strength and influence are significant in helping our struggle this time,” he said.
When asked if the coming State election would see contests among former allies, Hajiji said: “If they are already outside the coalition, then yes, there will be contests.”He said GRS would take an open approach in the coming polls.
“They (Star and SAPP) have left and are using their own logos, so they are free to field candidates wherever they wish,” he said.
On the possibility of GRS working again with Star or SAPP after the election, Hajiji said: “We will see after the election. Politics is dynamic.”Asked about the four Star Assemblymen who attended the press conference, he said, “Once the Assembly is dissolved, all assemblymen automatically cease to hold office. They now return to the status of ordinary citizens until a new election is held.”The four Star assemblymen were Datuk Ellron Angin (Sook), Datuk Abidin Madingkir (Paginatan), Datuk Annuar Ayub (Liawan) and Datuk Flovia Ng (Tulid).
Asked why today was chosen for the dissolution, Hajiji said jokingly, “I had a dream... today is the best day for us to dissolve it. God willing, the people will continue to give GRS the mandate.”He said the current Chief Minister would continue to serve as caretaker Chief Minister until a new government is formed.
“Yes, that is the normal procedure. Until a new government is formed and a new Chief Minister is appointed, the current Chief Minister will continue to function as caretaker Chief Minister,” he said.