KOTA KINABALU: Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) is hoping to reach a consensus with Pakatan Harapan (PH) on the 55-18 state seat negotiations for the upcoming state election.
GRS information chief Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said that although the supreme council members of the eight components within the coalition had agreed to work with PH, GRS must remain dominant.
“If a decision has been made, then that is the decision. Where those seats are, we leave it to the leadership to discuss. Is GRS expecting clashes between GRS and PH? I wouldn’t say we are expecting that, because we must remain positive.
“However, the discussions are still ongoing, and hopefully we can come to a consensus. We must always focus on ensuring that there is a consensus,” he told the media after a press conference on the Kiulu Adventure Challenge at the Sabah Tourism Board office here.
He did not disclose when both coalitions would meet to finalise the seats.
Recently, Sabah Parti Keadilan Rakyat chief Datuk Mustapha Sakmud said they would defend Api-Api and Inanam.
Mustapha also informed the media that their political teams had opened war rooms in Melalap, Sindumin and Darau, apart from Api-Api and Inanam.
Sabah DAP’s incumbent seats are Likas, Luyang, Tanjung Papat and Kapayan.
Upko has only one seat in Kadamaian.
Commenting on a statement by a Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) leader calling for the party to break away from the coalition, Joniston said the coalition emphasised inclusivity.
“I don’t know what prompted him to make that call. But what I can gather is, he was speaking about the sentiment of the crowd, calling for GRS or whichever party to go solo.
“For now, it is still the status quo. For now, among the top leadership of all components, there is still nothing new.”
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
