Latest news with #Pakatan Harapan
Malay Mail
3 days ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Hajiji confirms GRS and Pakatan to join forces in Sabah state election
KOTA KINABALU, July 27 — Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor has confirmed that an electoral pact will be formed between GRS and Pakatan Harapan (PH) for the upcoming 17th Sabah State Election. The Chief Minister said the matter had been discussed among GRS component parties, and a consensus was reached to establish an electoral arrangement with PH. Hajiji, who is also Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) president, said the move reflects the ongoing cooperation between GRS and PH within the current state administration. 'Of course, we are ready, but (the electoral pact formula) is not yet finalised. There are still a few matters to iron out,' he told reporters after officiating the Gagasan Rakyat Annual General Meeting 2025 here today. Meanwhile, Sabah PH deputy chairman Datuk Mustapha Sakmud expressed his appreciation to the Chief Minister for upholding the spirit of cooperation between the two coalitions. 'I think it's good news for Sabah,' he said. Mustapha said the next step would involve negotiations on seat allocation and expressed hope that the process would be carried out fairly. Asked how many seats Sabah PH is eyeing in the upcoming state polls, Mustapha said the coalition is targeting between 23 and 25 seats, subject to the outcome of negotiations. The current five-year term of the 16th Sabah state assembly will expire automatically on Nov 11, paving the way for the 17th Sabah State Election. — Bernama
Malay Mail
6 days ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Fahmi: GRS-Pakatan talks ‘healthy and productive', unity key to stability in Sabah
PAPAR, July 23 — Pakatan Harapan (PH) communications director Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said seat negotiations between Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and PH ahead of the upcoming state election are progressing smoothly, with both coalitions aligned in their goal of ensuring continued political stability. Without going into detail, Fahmi described the ongoing talks between the federal coalition and Sabah's ruling bloc as 'very healthy and productive.' 'We all want political stability in Sabah, and I believe that is also the desire of both the prime minister and the chief minister,' he said, referring to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor respectively. Amanah vice-president Datuk Dzulkefly Ahmad added that unity remains the cornerstone of the coalition's strategy — not just for federal polls, but also at the state level. 'I'm one of those who firmly believe that the winning strategy is on our side. 'If we maintain unity, we can sustain political stability, ensure growth and prosperity, and respond to the people's demand for good governance,' he said. The GRS-led Sabah government under Hajiji has consistently expressed its preference to continue working with its national partners in PH, rather than contesting independently, citing political stability as a key factor. Hajiji has said the two coalitions will soon formalise their pact and announce the outcome of seat negotiations. Fahmi added that both sides recognise Sabahans' desire for continuity and progress, not political upheaval. 'The rakyat want stability, they want development, they want prosperity. That's why staying the course with a unity strategy is the best way to win — even in Sabah,' said Dzulkefly.
Malay Mail
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Hajiji: GRS to stay with Pakatan for state polls, Sabah needs stability over solo ambitions
KOTA KINABALU, July 21 — Despite calls for the ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) to contest on its own, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said that the coalition with remain in a formal pact with its national coalition partners Pakatan Harapan (PH) going into the election, with a broader strategy in mind. The Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah president said that political stability — not just electoral victory — is the priority for the state, but also stressed that GRS would be contesting most of the 73 state constituency seats. 'We will continue our cooperation in the current government — both the state government, GRS, and Pakatan Harapan,' he said when speaking to reporters here. 'We also want to listen to local aspirations. So we will make the best decision for Sabah because for us, political stability is very important. It's not just about winning the election. After the election, we must ensure stability. Only then can we plan and develop our state,' He said that he has had several discussions with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as chairman of PH and that they were reaching a decision on the seat negotiations soon. Hajiji, who is GRS chairman, has been in favour of staying with PH during the election but grassroot calls for the local coalition to contest on its own has been getting stronger, particularly after the Parti Bersatu Sabah and Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku's joint convention two weekends ago. Chants of 'solo' reverberated during the convention, reflecting the desire from the ground for local parties to form the state government without relying on national parties. The calls come from along-standingg perception of Sabah being taken advantage of and beholden to the federal government or national parties. Another issue is that the federal government also comprises Umno, GRS's former state partners who had attempted a coup on Hajiji after what it claims was many broken promises and agreements and leading to a fallout between the two. A three day PGRS convention this weekend is expected to serve as a platform to prepare the party machinery for a possible snap state election. Earlier today, Hajiji presented scholarships to the best performing students in the state, noting that they have more than doubled the amount since it took over the government in 2020. 'From only RM50 million in 2020, the BKNS allocation has continued to increase year by year over the past five years, reaching RM136 million in 2025. 'This marks an increase of RM86 million from 2019, reflecting the State Government's commitment to supporting the education of Sabah's children,' he said.
Malay Mail
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Mat Sabu: Amanah eyes five Sabah seats, says all candidates will be local
KOTA KINABALU, July 19 — Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) is looking to contest five state seats in Sabah for the upcoming state election, with one seat already confirmed under the Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional (PH-BN) seat negotiations, said party president Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu. Speaking to the media after launching Amanah's election machinery here today, Mohammad said the party remains fully committed to working with its PH partners despite mobilising its own grassroots campaign. 'First of all, Pakatan Harapan will move as one,' he stressed. 'But when it comes to activating our Amanah members, we have to deploy them ourselves. We will cooperate fully with all component parties,' he said. He said Amanah is targeting around five seats, including Sulabayan, Tanjung Aru, and Lumadan. Asked if contesting in Warisan's stronghold Sulabayan would be a risky move, Mohamad responded that the matter remains speculative for now. 'It's not certain we will get that seat. Whatever is decided later will be based on negotiations. For now, we can only mention it as a possibility,' he said. On whether the seat for Tanjung Aru has been confirmed for Amanah, he explained: 'Tanjung Aru has been given to PH but that does not mean Amanah is guaranteed the seat yet. PH includes Keadilan, Amanah, DAP and UPKO. The final decision will be made once party leaders sign off.' Addressing Sabah's growing preference for local parties, Mat Sabu said Amanah will ensure that all its candidates are Sabahan, and will ramp up grassroots efforts to build local trust and visibility. 'All our candidates will be local Sabahan faces. Once our election machinery is in place, we will launch more community-focused campaigns to show that we stand with the people of Sabah,' he said. — The Borneo Post
Malay Mail
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
GRS proposes two-term limit for Sabah CM, says needs supermajority to amend state Constitution
PAPAR, July 17 — Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) is reportedly proposing a two-term limit for the Chief Minister of Sabah as part of its upcoming election manifesto. According to a report in New Straits Times, GRS deputy secretary-general Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said the proposal was agreed upon with the Pakatan Harapan (PH) Plus coalition in December 2023. 'The reform would require an amendment to the State Constitution, which in turn needs a two-thirds majority support in the State Legislative Assembly,' he was quoted as saying. 'As such, GRS must secure a convincing victory exceeding the two-thirds threshold in the upcoming state election (PRN) to ensure this manifesto pledge can be realised in a future sitting of the assembly (DUN),' he reportedly added. The term-limit proposal falls under the 'Sabah United' pillar, one of four core themes in the manifesto, alongside 'Sabah First', 'Sabah Forward' and 'Sabah Prosper'. Armizan, who is also Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living, reportedly said a special task force has been formed to draft the manifesto, which is still being finalised.
