By Yussof J. Imbang
SANDAKAN: Leaders and machinery of the Sabah People’s Aspiration Party (Gagasan Rakyat) at the division level should not jump to conclusions about whether the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) will operate independently or join forces with national parties.
However, according to the Vice President of Gagasan Rakyat, Datuk Masiung Banah, a clash with Umno/Barisan Nasional (BN) is certainly expected ahead of the upcoming State Election (PRN-17).
“Whether GRS aligns with national parties or operates independently, let the party leadership make that decision,” he asserted during a visit to the Gagasan Rakyat Sukau Office in this progressive town yesterday.
Masiung, who is also the Coordinator Chairman of Gagasan Rakyat Zone 10, conducted the visit alongside his deputy, Karamunting Representative Datuk George Hiew Vun Zin, to discuss the party’s preparations in the Sukau area for PRN-17.
“Even though we are competing as ‘underdogs’ in Sukau, I believe the detailed preparations of the Gagasan Rakyat Sukau machinery can yield surprising results in PRN-17.
“I advise the Gagasan Rakyat leadership at the division level not to be overly confident based on reports on paper. Instead, senior leaders should go down to the ground and see the actual situation for themselves,” he added.
Masiung stated that the main wings of Youth, Women, and Beliawanis must counter the accusations and slanders propagated by the opposition.
“As we approach PRN-17, numerous claims have emerged from the opposition camp, refusing to acknowledge the advantages of the GRS government that were never realised by the opposition during their previous term in power.
Despite the repeated cries of ‘failed government’ from opposition leaders in Sabah, the official record of the GRS government tells a different story,” he said.
“The economic results of the government led by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Haji Noor have been improving year after year, reaching nearly RM10 billion to date,” he emphasised.
