The recent departure of two Gabungan Rakyat Sabah components should serve as a reminder to Pakatan Harapan not to demand too many seats in the coming state election, says Masidi Manjun.
The GRS secretary-general said while the coalition was impacted by Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) and the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP)’s decision, it was also a wake-up call for its federal allies.
“Their exit should remind PH not to demand too many seats during negotiations, because it has its implications. Local representation must remain strong,” he said in a podcast tonight.
GRS confirmed last week that STAR and SAPP had left the coalition after the two parties insisted on contesting under their respective banners in the upcoming state election.
STAR and SAPP also wanted to field candidates against PH.
Masidi had, however, said at the time that the pact reached between GRS and PH must be respected.
PH was reported to be eyeing 23 seats in the state polls. According to Malaysiakini, PH had proposed that PKR be allotted 13 seats, with the remaining 10 to be split evenly between DAP and Upko.
STAR information chief Anuar Ghani was later reported as saying that the party had decided to go solo at the upcoming polls as GRS’s offer of 23 seats to PH was “excessive” and went against local sentiments.
MORE TO COME
