Kota Kinabalu: GRS has unanimously agreed to accept the United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) as a new component party of the coalition, marking a significant development in Sabah’s political landscape and further strengthening the ruling State Government. The decision was made during the GRS Supreme Council meeting chaired by Hajiji.
Hajiji said all GRS component parties unanimously endorsed Upko’s application and agreed that the party’s membership would take effect immediately.
“It is in line with GRS’s own struggle, namely ‘Sabah First, Sabah United’, and to strengthen these local component parties. We want to ensure the stability of the existing state government,” he said.
The endorsement comes less than a month after Upko formally submitted its application to join GRS on May 29, with party’s President Datuk Ewon Benedick personally handing over the application letter to Hajiji.
At the time, Upko said its decision to seek membership in GRS was driven by the need to strengthen unity among Sabah-based political parties, advance its “Sabah First” agenda and reinforce Sabah’s position on issues relating to the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and the State’s constitutional rights.
The party also stated that its objectives were aligned with the Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya 2.0 development agenda championed by the GRS-led State Government.
Upko’s admission follows a major shift in its political alignment over the past five years. The party officially became a component of Pakatan Harapan (PH) in Aug 2021 after leaving Barisan Nasional (BN) in the aftermath of the 2018 General Election and subsequently aligning itself with the Warisan-PH administration in Sabah.
However, in Nov 2025, Upko announced its immediate withdrawal from PH following a special Supreme Council meeting.
The party cited its desire to strengthen the “Sabah First” agenda and pointed to growing differences with national PH leaders over several Sabah-related issues, including the State’s 40 per cent revenue entitlement, the interpretation and implementation of MA63, greater autonomy for Sabah PH, and broader questions concerning Sabah’s constitutional position within the Federation.
The withdrawal also coincided with Ewon’s resignation from the Federal Cabinet as Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister.
GRS was initially established as a political alliance comprising Perikatan Nasional (PN), BN and Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) to challenge the then Warisan Plus administration.
The coalition went on to win the election and subsequently formed the State Government under Hajiji’s leadership.
When GRS was officially registered in 2022, its founding component parties comprised Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Sabah chapter), PBS, Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star) and Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP), while the United Sabah National Organisation (Usno) later joined as the fifth component party.
Following the departure of Sabah Bersatu leaders from the party in late 2022, Hajiji and most of his supporters joined Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat), which subsequently emerged as the dominant political force within GRS.
Before the departure of Star, SAPP and Usno, the coalition consisted of Gagasan Rakyat, PBS, Star, SAPP, Usno, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah (PHRS), Parti Cinta Sabah (PCS) and direct GRS members.
Political differences over preparations for the 2025 State election and GRS’ cooperation with PH Sabah eventually led to a split, with Star, SAPP and Usno leaving the coalition during a period of political realignment.
Their departure transformed GRS into a more compact coalition centred on Gagasan Rakyat, with PBS, LDP, PHRS, PCS and direct members remaining as its core components.
