Nipped By Gagasan Sabah Pkr Clears Air Over Grs Liability Remarks

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After criticism from Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat), Sabah PKR clarified that state party chief Mustapha Sakmud was only expressing his “annoyance” at a statement made by a senior state Umno leader.
Sabah PKR information chief Ahmad Farid Sainuri said Mustapha was responding to state Umno information chief Suhaimi Nasir, who described Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) as a “liability” in the ongoing “love triangle” with Pakatan Harapan.
In a statement today, Farid said Mustapha himself did not see GRS as a liability as an ally in facing the upcoming state election.
“The main fact that was stated but failed to be understood is how Sabah PKR is committed to ensuring political stability at the national and state levels to ensure the well-being of the people.
“Therefore, the good cooperation between Harapan and GRS must be defended and not challenge Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
“GRS leaders should be grateful for the prime minister’s commitment and Sabah Harapan, which have saved the state government from changing hands during the recent Kinabalu Move,” he said.
Maintaining stability
Recently, Mustapha told Malaysiakini that his priority is to maintain stability among government parties, even as concerns mount over GRS being a “liability”.
He admitted that Sabah BN’s criticism of the GRS-led state administration, particularly over the mining licence corruption scandal, was not without basis.
Sabah PKR chief Mustapha SakmudIn response, Pantai Dalit Gagasan Rakyat chief Jasnih Daya told Mustapha not to spoil the cooperation between GRS and Harapan, advising him not to get too “excited” when issuing statements.
Similarly, Darau Gagasan Rakyat Youth issued a statement telling Mustapha that he was the liability as he failed to perform well as the Sepanggar MP.
In his statement, Farid went on to express Sabah PKR’s respect for Chief Minister Hajiji Noor.
“Sabah PKR greatly respects the leadership of the chief minister and appreciates the good cooperation between GRS-Harapan, but our views should not be misunderstood just because of media reports that sometimes do not reflect the true essence of the heart,” he said.
He also called for seat negotiations to be finished immediately, adding that this must be done with Sabah Harapan leadership, not with its component parties.
Corruption scandal
Last November, Malaysiakini exposed the alleged corruption scandal based on a series of leaked videos, which, to date, has seen only two lawmakers charged, along with businessperson-turned-whistleblower Albert Tei.
Sabah CM Hajiji NoorApart from Hajiji, the series of leaked video recordings also exposed alleged dealings involving various state ministers and assemblypersons.
All the GRS leaders whom Tei accused of accepting bribes from him have denied the allegations.
However, even before this, ties between Sabah BN and GRS were already sour after Sabah BN withdrew support for Hajiji’s government in 2023.
Anwar, who is also the Harapan chief, during a visit to Sabah earlier this month, had alluded to the “love triangle” and expressed hope to avert electoral clashes between BN and GRS. - Mkini

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