Sabah polls: GRS parties to defend respective seats, others up for discussion, says Masidi

KOTA KINABALU: Leaders of the eight Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) component parties have been advised to communicate openly and earnestly when they discuss allocations for the 73 seats to be contested in the coming state elections.

GRS secretary-general Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said the basis of seat-sharing discussions would be that each party defends the seats it currently holds, with the rest open to negotiation.

“Our fundamental position is to defend what we hold now and the rest we discuss heart to heart,” he said here on Tuesday (Sept 10).

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However, he said the coalition was in no hurry to meet and discuss seat allocations as the election is only due around October next year.

“We are not in a hurry. The focus is still on work, work, work,” said the Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) deputy president.

He said the ultimate goal was for GRS to win each seat and it did not matter which component party the candidate was from.

Masidi said GRS component parties should not be unduly worried about Gagasan Rakyat’s move to strengthen its position as this would help other components win seats.

“We want to strengthen Gagasan Rakyat to help other (government parties’) candidates. We have no intention of stealing members or snatching seats from our friends in GRS,” he added.

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Apart from the dominant Gagasan Rakyat with 26 assemblymen, GRS comprises Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) with seven assemblymen; Sabah STAR with six; Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) and Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah (Harapan Rakyat) with one each; and the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Parti Usno and Parti Cinta Sabah (PCS), which do not have any assemblymen at present.

GRS also has one directly-appointed assemblyman, for a total of 42.

GRS governs Sabah with the support of Sabah Pakatan Harapan, which has seven assemblymen, and several Barisan Nasional assemblymen.

Sabah PAS’ assemblyman also supports the GRS government.

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Meanwhile, Gagasan Rakyat vice president Datuk Masiung Banah said seat distribution among GRS members should be done through closed-door discussions in the family spirit.

“We are a big family, such matters should be discussed among the GRS top leaders privately and not publicly,” he said after opening the Gagasan Rakyat Tanjung Kapor division annual meeting. The division is led by Ben Chong Chen Bin.

Masiung was referring to recent statements by three GRS party leaders calling for the coalition to contest all 73 seats.

Masiung said the issue of seat distribution has fuelled the polemic over the possibility of GRS and Sabah Pakatan Harapan forging a political pact in the state elections.

He urged GRS and Sabah Pakatan leaders not to issue statements on seat distribution as it could affect their good relations.

He said GRS and Sabah Pakatan leaders would discuss the matter of working together under an electoral pact.