‘GRS move to join unity govt good for Sabah’

KINABALU: Gabungan Rakyat Sabah’s (GRS) decision to join the unity government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will stabilise the political uneasiness at the state level, say political observers.

They believe that GRS, which is seen to be aligned to Perikatan Nasional led by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, would bring about political stability to the federal unity government.

Political analyst Dr Romzi Ationg said there was a general public confusion with GRS as its partners, including the Sabah chapter of the Muhyiddin-led Bersatu, had strongly opposed Anwar in becoming Prime Minister.

“It is our hope that the latest decision by GRS contributes to the political stability of Sabah,” he said, referring to the confirmation by Anwar yesterday that GRS led by Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, who is Sabah Chief Minister, would give its support to a unity government.

However, Romzi said it seemed confusing to many people as GRS had portrayed itself as indecisive on its position on who it would support during the critical hours and days ahead of the unity government being formed.

One key problem with GRS was the presence of the national-based Bersatu, which is part of the Perikatan coalition at the national level, said Romzi, a lecturer with Universiti Malaysia Sabah.

Many had hoped that the state Bersatu led by Hajiji would abandon the national party and move to locally-based Usno (a GRS component party) to give GRS a truly Sabah-based coalition similar to Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), he added.

“People have been hoping for local Bersatu leaders to move to Usno for the sake of consolidating GRS with a local party agenda,” he said, adding that Bersatu was the only non-sabah-based component party in GRS, which won six parliamentary seats in GE15.

“I believe that the decision to strengthen as well as focus on the local party but keeping a good relationship with federal leaders is the best choice for GRS.

“In fact, GRS portrays itself as Sarawak’s GPS, but the presence of Bersatu within GRS confuses Sabahans.”

Apart from GRS’ Bersatu that won four parliamentary seats, its other partners Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) and Sabah STAR secured a seat each in the just-concluded election.

For Sabah UITM political analyst Toni Paridi Bagang, GRS’ move to join the unity government was pragmatic as it would ensure cordial relations between the state and Anwar.

“Political rivalry is part and parcel of politics.

“Nonetheless, by being part of the unity government, it is time for the people and the state to move on,” he said.

He added that the current political scenario could minimise inter-party rivalry and as such stabilise Sabah politically for the time being.

GRS’ initial absence from Anwar’s government sparked speculation that Sabah Barisan Nasional led by Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin was likely to renegotiate its partnership with GRS in the state government.

Among others, Bung had the option of pulling his Barisan’s support for GRS and forming a coalition with Warisan (which was the first to join the proposed unity government) and Sabah Pakatan (PKR, DAP and Upko) to take over the state government.

Alternatively, Bung could strengthen Barisan’s position within Hajiji’s state administration by renegotiating Cabinet positions.

Bung earlier expressed unhappiness with GRS’ initial support for Muhyiddin to be prime minister as it was against the pre-election pact where GRS had said it would back Barisan’s choice.

Hajiji, however, said GRS did not breach the pact as Barisan did not win the general election.