KOTA KINABALU: Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) Backbencher Chairman Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak has called for official registration of GRS to avoid clash of allies in future elections.
He said the recent Malacca State Election showed the need for GRS political leaders to act now to strengthen the direction of this loose coalition.
“The question now is how would the main allies in GRS, namely Perikatan Nasional (PN) and Barisan Nasional (BN), avoid clashes as seen in the Melaka state elections.
“The political situation in Sabah is different from that of Peninsular Malaysia and we cannot ignore this matter,” he said in his latest Facebook posting.
The former Chief Minister said that the GRS coalition was effective because it involved the cooperation of national and local parties with a clear structure and where everyone had important roles.
Salleh said the issue of Barisan Nasional having gone solo in the recent Melaka polls and questioned if this was going to be the case in the next general election (GE15), including in Sabah.
Salleh urged GRS leaders to get to work together in addressing the issue, and discuss the actions they need to take to empower the coalition.
“There will, of course, be differences of opinion, but for the future of Sabah I believe it is important to discuss this matter now in an open, sensible and constructive manner.” he said.
Therefore, Salleh said the coalition should prioritize the registration of GRS as an official political coalition.
“GRS leaders need to talk it out to realize this objective. GRS may consider opening up membership directly to other parties becoming members of the GRS coalition party as well as individuals who wish to become regular GRS members.
“We must make sure the public is no longer confused about GRS. GRS remains focused on fulfilling its responsibilities to the people of Sabah. We need to develop the state’s economy, create jobs and prepare the younger generation as the future leaders of Sabah,” he added.
Salleh said he had already presented his views about the matter to the top leadership of GRS.
“There will be differences of opinion, but for the future of Sabah I believe it is important to now discuss this in an open, sensible and constructive manner.
“The state of Sabah is blessed with a wealth of nature and multi-racial people who are known for their tolerance. Sabah has been around as an entity for the past 140 years, since 1 November 1881. To move Sabah forward, GRS needs to set aside polemical politics,” he said.
