Caption: A younger Dr Kanul while speaking to UN Human Rights rapporteurs at UN hq for UNCHR in Geneva, Switzerland about 15 years ago.
KOTA KINABALU: Gabungan Bebas Merdeka (GBM) – an independent political movement and coalition of independent candidates – plans to run candidates in all parliamentary constituencies in Sabah for the upcoming general election (PRU).
GBM Chairman Dr Kanul Gindol said the coalition is now actively engaged in identifying and assessing potential candidates.
“However, I have been told to announce the exact number of our candidates only at a GBM assembly before Parliament’s dissolution, which I expect will happen before the end of 2027,” he said, when Jesselton Times asked about the progress of the independent coalition.
According to him, GBM, which was launched in Tuaran on August 14, is actively promoting its two core principles – “Malaysia’s Prime Minister for PRU16 Should Come from Sarawak” and “The Prime Minister Position Must Rotate Every Five or Eight Years Among Three Regions – Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak, and Sabah”.
“Our ‘Two-Point GBM’ initiative, launched in Tuaran less than two months ago, has garnered remarkably positive reception, with numerous supporters expressing their commitment to GBM as it pioneers a fresh political movement.
“I’m indifferent to what others say. This Two-Point GBM approach will undoubtedly disrupt the outdated political model in our nation, which has been dominated excessively by Peninsular control, denying Sabah and Sarawak the opportunity to lead national administration,” he explained, adding that GBM is establishing regional committees across all 26 parliamentary jseats in Sabah, including one in Labuan.
Dr Kanul, a former journalist and renowned Sabah activist, said he isn’t particularly concerned about candidate selection at present, confident that increasingly more established and emerging leaders are expressing interest in this “innovative model” of independent coalition political management.
“In fact, many have also informed me that having a political party is preferable to assembling independent candidates, and I respect this perspective. Consequently, GBM remains open to ‘collaboration with suitable political parties’ and also ‘efforts to register a new political party’.
“I have personally met and will continue meeting or engaging local Sabah party leaders who are receptive to GBM in exploring potential cooperation between GBM and the respective party or parties,” he said.
Dr Kanul nevertheless clarified that currently, GBM leadership believes they are not interested in forming coalitions with Warisan, GRS, BN, PH, or PN; instead, they are confident in providing competition to these parties in the near future.
According to him, the tangible impact and momentum of GBM is anticipated to be felt throughout Sabah only after February 2027, once three tiers of GBM leadership are firmly established across 26 Parliamentary constituencies or at minimum 24 seats.
These three leadership tiers comprise the “Executive Committee” which holds final authority over all GBM operations, the Steering and Election Committee which remains currently inactive, and the ‘State Standing Committee’ encompassing senior leaders from all 26 Parliamentary constituencies in Sabah and Labuan.
“What’s compelling is that GBM’s executive committee has already determined that the selection of GBM candidates is decided independently by GBM leadership at the constituency level, not by the ‘executive committee’ nor by myself.
“GBM no longer employs the outdated political model akin to kitchen cabinet decisions—including those from the president’s wife and family members—determine, modify, and replace candidates at the last minute. This will not happen in GBM,” he stated, clarifying that he only intervenes when he believes there are sabotage elements within GBM.
Dr Kanul further explained that GBM’s emergence as a third force is not surprising because there genuinely isn’t a stable first or second force in Sabah’s political landscape following the participation of numerous parties and coalitions in the recent election.
“Sabah has 25 Parliamentary seats but today there are only three Warisan MPs and six GRS MPs, so where is the first and second force? There isn’t one. Everyone competes individually. The remaining MP seats in Sabah are controlled by BN, PH, PN, and also Independents,” he elaborated.
Regarding GBM candidate criteria, Dr Kanul, who holds a PhD in Political Science and is regarded as one of the local political communication experts, stated that candidates simply need to be healthy and possess balanced honesty and wisdom that qualify them to be effective parliamentarians for the people and Sabah, and who can assist him as GBM leader.
“My candidates must embrace the Two Points of GBM’s initial struggle, and they must be prepared for two major additional points that I will announce before GRU16,” he added.
