One banner for all 8 GRS parties to contest Sabah polls

The parties have agreed in principle, but an official agreement has yet to be reached, says GRS information chief Joniston Bangkuai.

(FMT) – The ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah coalition is expected to contest the coming Sabah elections under one banner for all eight component parties.

GRS information chief Joniston Bangkuai said the component parties had agreed in principle to contest under the coalition banner logo, as requested by GRS chairman Hajiji Noor.

“Although no official decision has been made, all member parties are expected to agree with the proposal,” he told FMT, adding that this reflected the unity within the coalition as it seeks a new term in the state government.

The main parties in GRS comprise Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah, Parti Bersatu Sabah and Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR), who together hold the lion’s share of the coalition’s seats in the Sabah assembly, and all six in the Dewan Rakyat.

The other parties are the Sabah Progressive Party, United Sabah National Organisation, Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah, Liberal Democratic Party and Parti Cinta Sabah.

GRS and Barisan Nasional have been courting Pakatan Harapan for a possible electoral alliance. GRS and PH currently make up the state government, while BN sits in the opposition in the state assembly.

The next elections to the Sabah state assembly must be held by December next year at the latest. It will be the second time that the coalition is contesting the state elections with candidates from component parties fielded under the GRS banner.

In 2020, the coalition secured a simple majority of 38 of the 73 state assembly seats. At the 2022 general election, the coalition won six of the 26 parliamentary seats.

Joniston said informal seat negotiations within GRS have yet to be finalised, though it was discussed in depth during a recent top leadership meeting.

“Nevertheless, generally, GRS is ready to face the state assembly elections,” said Joniston, who is assemblyman for Kiulu.