24-06-2025
No intention to act as ‘big brother' in GRS: PGRS
Published on: Tuesday, June 24, 2025
Published on: Tue, Jun 24, 2025 Text Size: Razali, who is also Gagasan Rakyat's Darau Division Chief, added he would even accept it if the party is not chosen to contest in that constituency, provided the decision is made through consensus for the sake of Sabah's political stability. Kota Kinabalu: Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) has no intention of acting like a 'big brother' within the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition, said its Secretary-General Datuk Mohamed Razali Mohamed Razi. Instead, he emphasised the party's commitment to an inclusive and respectful approach among component parties. Razali stressed that the strength of GRS lies in mutual respect and cooperation and not dominance. 'We don't put personal interests first. Gagasan Rakyat's culture is not to dominate, but to move together with all GRS components in unity and mutual respect. We've learned from past mistakes,' he said. Razali was speaking to the media after attending the Gagasan Rakyat Darau Division Conference officiated by GRS Deputy Secretary-General Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali here on Sunday. Commenting on a proposal by the party's women, youth, and young women's wings nominating him as the GRS candidate for the 17th Sabah state election, Razali welcomed the suggestion but said the will of the people must come first.
Advertisement 'I appreciate the grassroots' aspirations, but ultimately, we must go down to the ground and see if the people want us. That's the real measure.' Razali, who is also Gagasan Rakyat's Darau Division Chief, added he would even accept it if the party is not chosen to contest in that constituency, provided the decision is made through consensus for the sake of Sabah's political stability. 'I will accept it with an open heart if the party president decides to field someone else. What matters most to me is that our president remains as the Chief Minister of Sabah,' he said. As GRS Executive Secretary, Razali also echoed Armizan's call for direct federal-state negotiations, free from the influence of federal party headquarters. 'We've experienced a time when every decision had to go through Kuala Lumpur, and Sabah reps had no autonomy. The time has come for us to act independently and maturely in shaping the state's direction.' Responding to criticism of the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) development blueprint, Razali defended it as a structured and written plan, unlike previous governments that he said relied on political rhetoric. 'SMJ isn't just coffee-shop talk. It's an official state development document. We're not magicians. Problems built up over 30 years can't be solved in just three. It takes time and stability,' he stressed. Razali also criticised Sabah's long-standing culture of political division, calling the failure to unite the root of the state's political weakness. * 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.
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