KOTA MARUDU: A total of 158 former Parti KDM members in Matunggong officially joined Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (PGRS) through the formation of three new branches in Kg Terongkongan Darat, Kg Minyak and Kg Tinutudan.
The membership acceptance ceremony and launch of the branches took place in Kampung Terongkongan Darat on Saturday.
Of the new members, 50 are from Kg Terongkongan Darat, 52 from Kg Minyak and 56 from Kg Tinutudan.
Kg Terongkongan Darat and Kg Minyak are within the Terongkongan Polling District Centre (PDM), while Kg Tinutudan falls under the Lajong PDM.
They were welcomed by PGRS Kota Marudu division chief Sarapin Magana, marking growing grassroots support for the party.
In his speech, Sarapin welcomed the new members and said their move clearly showed that the public was gaining confidence in the Chief Minister’s leadership and the GRS government.
“The membership of these three branches shows that people can see the GRS government’s efforts and commitment to bringing development and assistance to them.
“We are grateful for and appreciate the trust they have placed in us, and we promise to continue working for the people,” he said.
For the record, in the last State Election (PRN), the GRS candidate narrowly lost by a seven-vote majority in PDM Terongkongan and by just one vote in PDM Lajong.
Sarapin said the new members were expected to help GRS win both polling districts in the next General Election (PRU).
Meanwhile, a former KDM Party member who joined PGRS said they made the decision because they believed the GRS government could deliver development and provide assistance to the people.
They also said they had lost confidence in the KDM Party leadership, which they alleged was good at making promises but had failed to bring meaningful change to the local community.
In their view, people now prioritise practical action and visible results rather than promises alone.
Sarapin added that PGRS Kota Marudu was currently restructuring its branches following constitutional amendments approved by the Registrar of Societies (RoS) this year.
He said the process aimed to strengthen the party machinery at every level, making it more organised and effective in serving the people.
He also welcomed more opposition members in Kota Marudu to support GRS in bringing change and development to the area.
“We are confident that GRS can win the Kota Marudu parliamentary seat in the next PRU,” he said.
Also present were Matunggong District Chief OKK Somuil Mojiun; the village chiefs of Kg Terongkongan Darat and Kg Minyak; Deputy Division Chief Mohamad Isahak Awang; Deputy Women’s Wing Division Chief and PGRS Central Women’s Wing EXCO member Dr Davina Datuk Markus; Deputy Youth Division Chief Clement Sarapin; Division Secretary Lagason Gampong; Division Treasurer Rico Ongikal; and Division Committee members Dr Jurin Gunsalam, Singan Lingkubang, Masikong Maluk, Ijap Yakim, Jimin Masaya, Marius Donsilin and Raimun Mangantal
