Hajiji Insists Shocked Grs Leaders Consulted On Pact With Harapan

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Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) chairperson Hajiji Noor has dismissed allegations of acting unilaterally when he announced the formation of an electoral pact with Pakatan Harapan last Sunday.
Hajiji insisted that discussions had already taken place with leaders from the eight-party coalition.
“No, no, no. We have discussed. In GRS, all are party presidents,” he told reporters in Kota Kinabalu today.
Over recent weeks, sentiment had been growing within GRS that the coalition should contest the election independently.
Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) and Sabah Star were among the key proponents for this direction, arguing that Sabah parties should lead the state, not parties based in Peninsular Malaysia.
During Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah’s (Gagasan) annual general meeting on Sunday, Hajiji - who serves as party president - noted that existing cooperation with Harapan would continue in government. Gagasan serves as the linchpin party in GRS.
No date set
When questioned whether this cooperation would extend to the forthcoming state election, Hajiji remained silent but nodded in response.
This occurred despite his previous commitment that such decisions would only be made following consultation with all GRS component party leaders.
Until this point, however, Hajiji acknowledged that no formal meeting had taken place.
When pressed, he could not specify when the GRS’ supreme council would convene.
“I’ll call it later. How can I tell you now? The date is not yet set,” Hajiji said.
ADSNo meeting convened
On Friday - the opening day of Gagasan’s annual meeting -several component party leaders, including United Sabah National Organisation (Usno) president Pandikar Amin Mulia, confirmed that Hajiji had not convened any meeting.
Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) and Sabah Star leaders echoed this.
Hajiji’s unexpected announcement regarding the Harapan alliance last weekend is thought to have created tensions within GRS.
BN - Harapan’s partner but GRS’ bitter foe - has ridiculed the move.
Nevertheless, Hajiji has dismissed the internal opposition.
“Don’t listen too much. In Sabah, there’s too much politics, too many, too clever,” he added.
Usno, SAPP and Sabah Star have advocated for GRS to contest the upcoming election alone.
GRS consists of Gagasan, Usno, SAPP, Sabah Star, Parti Cinta Sabah, Liberal Democratic Party, Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah, and PBS. - FMT

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