Calls For Grs To Go Solo Grow Louder With Pbs Star Leading The Charge

---

 


Delegates at the first joint convention of Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) and Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Sabah Star) sent a clear message to the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) leadership today - the coalition must go solo in the next state election.
Each time coalition chief Hajiji Noor mentioned GRS, the Hongkod Koisaan hall in Penampang would reverberate with chants of "solo" from the 5,000 PBS and Sabah Star members in attendance.
Earlier in his speech, Sabah Star president Jeffrey Kitingan framed the next election as a defining moment for the state’s political future, calling it a referendum on whether the state should continue relying on Peninsular-based parties or assert its own path.
“Consider this election a referendum, whether we want to be ruled by outsiders or govern ourselves,” he said.
In his speech, Kitingan leaned heavily on Sabah’s long-standing struggle for autonomy, invoking historical grievances over the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), particularly the 40 percent net revenue entitlement due to Sabah under the Federal Constitution.
Sabah Star president Jeffrey Kitingan“We face injustice. They’ve ignored our rights for decades, 48 years. Because their agenda was to take over and turn us into a colonial outpost,” he said.
He ended his speech by asking, “Should GRS go solo?”, to which the audience responded emphatically: “Solo!”
Be cautious
Meanwhile, PBS acting president Joachim Gunsalam cautioned that the push to go solo should not reach the point that PBS and Sabah Star go solo without GRS.
“Even though we’re working together, there are still voices saying PBS and Star should go solo. I think that is going to be suicide for us. That’s from the heart. It’s going to be suicide because you can never become a government. You may be a kingmaker. But now we are on the best path through GRS.
“Right now, we have to rely on GRS. If we are divided, and GRS loses this state election, I can tell you - the parties from across the sea, they will dominate us even worse,” he said, referring to Peninsular-based coalitions such as Pakatan Harapan, BN, and Perikatan Nasional.
PBS acting president Joachim GunsalamThe PBS leader also warned that seat clashes should not occur in the next state election, urging a level-headed approach to seat negotiations.
ADS“This is not the time to fight over seats. The most important thing for this state election is to ensure GRS wins big," Gunsalam stressed.
Hajiji evasive
But despite the strong support, Hajiji did not address the solo calls directly in his speech at the convention.
Instead, he focused on coalition unity, warning against attempts to destabilise the administration.
Hajiji went on to describe GRS as a “house” that must be guarded.
GRS chief Hajiji Noor“GRS is our house - rumah kita. “If we don’t take care of our own house, who else will?”
The slogan “Rumah kita, kita jaga” (we guard our house) became a refrain throughout his speech, though he avoided signalling any shift in direction.
Speaking briefly to reporters as he exited the venue, Hajiji again sidestepped, saying the continuous chant of solo was a reflection of unity within GRS.
"This is a very strong sign of unity within GRS, and the local spirit is clearly high as we face the state election,” said Hajiji, referring to the Sabah for Sabahans sentiment.
Pressed on whether GRS would run on its own, he replied, “We’ll decide that in our meeting - in the GRS supreme council.”
Hajiji had previously indicated that he is still exploring the possibility of a GRS tie-up with Harapan in the next election.
However, such an alliance would be rife with problems as GRS' main rival in Sabah, BN wants to work with Harapan without GRS.
Thus far, of the eight GRS parties, PBS, Sabah Star and United Sabah National Organisation (Usno) are the main proponents for the coalition to go solo.
Of the 42 state seats currently held by GRS, 13 belong to PBS (7) and Sabah Star (6). PBS and Sabah Star are key parties in Kadazandusun Murut constituencies. - Mkini

---