Sabah must move forward with local leadership, says Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah sec-gen
The Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah secretary-general said it's their prerogative if some parties don't align with Sabah's aspirations.
'If there are parties that disagree, are not aligned, or do not respect the aspirations of the people of Sabah, that is their prerogative, but we must continue moving forward.
"We must continue to move forward. This is our home, and we must protect it,' she said in a statement on Saturday (May 10).
Chok repeated her full support for Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor's decision for Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) to contest solo in the upcoming state election.
She said the move reflects the true aspirations of the people.
Chok said the people of Sabah deserve to determine their own direction and development without waiting for approval from outside forces.
'GRS under the Chief Minister has proven that major decisions on development and economic progress can be made at the state level. This is the dream of Sabahans, to stand on our own feet,' she added.
While acknowledging that other parties have every right to form their own alliances for the state election, Harapan Rakyat remains firm in backing Hajiji and GRS leadership.
'If there are other parties who share the same vision and are interested in working with GRS, we warmly welcome them. United we stand strong,' she said.
Parti Harapan is one of the eight component parties under GRS, which includes Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah, Parti Bersatu Sabah, Sabah STAR, United Sabah National Organisation (Usno), Parti Cinta Sabah, Liberal Democratic Party, and Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP).
ENDS
COMPLIMENTARY, SABAH AND SARAWAK
Suggested Keywords/SEO Terms: Sabah Politics, Local Leadership, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah, Chief Minister Hajiji Noor, State Election, Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah, Sabah Development, Political Alliances
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Best for GRS to go solo, polls pact talks with PH, BN confusing voters, says Sabah STAR deputy chief
KOTA KINABALU: Electoral pact talks between three major coalitions are just confusing the people and it is best for Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) to go it alone, says Sabah STAR deputy president Datuk Kenny Chua. Chua said that GRS should contest the coming state election solo instead of entering into any electoral pact with national party coalitions like Pakatan Harapan or Barisan Nasional. Chua said discussions about potential cooperation between GRS, Pakatan and Barisan have caused confusion among voters and did not reflect the sentiments of the people at the grassroots. He said that Sabahans were keen to be governed by local parties that understand the state's unique needs and priorities. "It's the wish of Sabah and that local parties govern the state. All this talk about GRS, Pakatan, and Barisan has created confusion. It shouldn't be. For me, it's only fair to Sabah that GRS goes solo,' he said in a statement Tuesday (Aug 5). He cautioned that any attempt to compel cooperation between parties would be seen as a 'forced marriage' and not sit well with voters. Sabah STAR, the third largest partner in the eight-party GRS, has been advocating to go solo but its president Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan has yet to comment on the July 27 statement by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor's that GRS has agreed to form an electoral pact with Pakatan. Pakatan has more or less formalised an electoral seat arrangement with Barisan and its (Pakatan) move to work on a pact with GRS separately is also raising political eyebrows. Sabah Barisan led by Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin has refused to forge any sort of alliance with its estranged partner GRS under Hajiji following their fallout in January 2023. On Sunday (Aug 3), Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that Pakatan would work towards resolving conflicts to allow the unity government partners to contest the coming state election without clashing with each other. However, Chua believes that Sabah has already enjoyed political stability since GRS formed the state government and that this stability would be further strengthened if the mandate is clearly given to local-based parties. "Political stability has been established since GRS came to power and will be further strengthened when voters choose for autonomy in which Sabah local parties govern the state, just like in Sarawak,' he added. He said while cooperation with national parties may have played a role in the past, Sabah is now in a stronger position to decide its future through its own local leadership. The current political collaboration talks will see GRS and Barisan contesting each other while both parties will not field candidates against Pakatan candidates under seats sharing formulas being worked out.
Daily Express
5 hours ago
- Daily Express
Youth council, leaders slam Warisan's 'unrealistic' student Loan write-off pledge
Published on: Tuesday, August 05, 2025 Published on: Tue, Aug 05, 2025 By: FMT Text Size: Warisan President Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal PETALING JAYA: Warisan's promise to cancel all outstanding student loans for Sabahans if it wins the state election has been dismissed as unrealistic by the Sabah Youth Council and several political leaders. Council president Abqaree Fawwaz Abekan said the move would impose huge financial burdens and affect other sectors, suggesting instead a 50pc subsidy for needy borrowers. Kunak assemblywoman Norazlinah Arif and Apas' Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan accused Warisan of making grand, populist promises to gain power, noting that no such debts were forgiven during Shafie Apdal's tenure as chief minister. Shafie made the pledge, along with free education, at an event in Sabah on Saturday. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
8 hours ago
- Daily Express
Opposition bid to undermine GRS unity: PBS
Published on: Tuesday, August 05, 2025 Published on: Tue, Aug 05, 2025 Text Size: Dr Joachim and other officials during the cake-cutting ceremony. PENAMPANG: Acting PBS President Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam has reminded party members, particularly the youth and women's wings, not to be influenced by the opposition's attempts to create division within the party. Speaking at the 30th Annual General Meeting of the PBS Moyog Division held at Turongou Farmstay here on Saturday, he said recent claims by the opposition as efforts to disrupt party unity. Dr Joachim also dismissed allegations that he and Star President Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan were excluded from a Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) event. 'I sent a representative because I had to officiate five PBS division AGMs in Beaufort on the same day. How can anyone say PBS doesn't support the Chief Minister when many of our leaders were present?' he said. He said PBS remains committed to supporting the leadership of Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, and called on members to remain focused on the party's objectives. 'Don't be easily influenced. Stay focused. Our journey is far from over. PBS continues to be relevant,' he said. Advertisement Dr Joachim also reminded members that the current State Government was formed through cooperation between Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and Pakatan Harapan (PH) Plus. He noted that PH had backed Hajiji during a political crisis two years ago, a move that helped maintain administrative stability. 'GRS won't forget PH's support during that time. The opposition will try any way possible to break us. That's why we must stay united,' he said. He also thanked Moyog Division Chief John Chryso Masabal and the organising committee for inviting him to officiate the meeting. The event also included the handing over of new membership forms to Dr Joachim and was attended by party vice-presidents and members of the Women and Youth wings. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
