KOTA KINABALU: The Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat (KDM) has dismissed remarks made by Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) Secretary-General Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali regarding the position of Paginatan assemblyman Datuk Rusdin Riman, calling them unwarranted.
KDM asserts that Armizan is not in a position to speak on matters concerning its leadership.
Barry Pulong, KDM’s Photography Officer, stated that Armizan should refrain from involving himself in the internal affairs of other political parties.
He emphasized that KDM retains full autonomy in shaping its political path and decisions.
“It’s common knowledge that Armizan holds a leadership role in GRS,” Barry said in a statement today.
“But the real question is, why is he getting involved in the matters of another party? He should first consider his own responsibilities before commenting on others.”
He clarified that KDM was never an official member of the GRS coalition but had extended support to the previous state administration.
As such, the party maintains both legal and organizational authority to withdraw that support if it deems the GRS-led government ineffective or failing in its duties to Sabah.
“KDM supported the formation of GRS with the expectation of fair and accountable governance,” Barry explained.
“However, we now believe that GRS has not delivered on its promises, and the living conditions of the people continue to deteriorate.”
He also pointed to unresolved corruption issues, citing allegations tied to video recordings implicating more than ten GRS assemblymen.
According to Barry, these concerns remain unanswered and demand a clear public explanation from GRS.
Meanwhile, he claimed that Armizan is worried that the KDM President might announce the party’s decision to withdraw support for the GRS government, in addition to forming a local Borneo party bloc to face the 16th General Election (PRU16).
“The idea was well received by all attendees, who urged immediate action to allow grassroots members time to prepare for GE16,” Barry said.
“If realized, this could mark a significant turning point in Borneo’s political landscape.”
He urged Armizan to shift focus toward pressing public issues such as rising living costs and ongoing diesel supply and pricing challenges.
“We are capable of managing our own party affairs without external interference,” he added.
Barry also noted that voters in Sabah, particularly in the Papar parliamentary constituency, will likely reassess the current leadership during the next general election.
While these views reflect KDM’s official stance, the party acknowledges that GRS and Armizan have the right to respond to the allegations and criticisms raised.
