GRS Targets All 25 Sabah Parliamentary Seats and Labuan in Next General Election
KOTA KINABALU: The ruling Sabah coalition, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), has announced plans to contest all 25 parliamentary seats in Sabah as well as the federal territory of Labuan in the next General Election.
GRS chairman and Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor said the coalition has already begun preparing for the polls by strengthening its election machinery across the state and appointing senior leaders to oversee campaign preparations in six electoral zones.
According to Hajiji, the coalition wants to ensure it is fully prepared even though the current parliamentary term is not expected to expire until late next year.
“We discussed preparations for the upcoming General Election and agreed to strengthen our party machinery in all parliamentary constituencies in Sabah.
“We want to ensure that every constituency is prepared early so that all plans can be carried out in an organised and effective manner,” he told reporters after chairing the GRS Supreme Council meeting here.
As part of the preparations, Hajiji said Sabah has been divided into six electoral zones, with each zone placed under the supervision of a senior leader responsible for monitoring readiness and reporting on election preparations.
Hajiji himself will oversee Zone One, covering Kudat, Kota Marudu, Kota Belud and Tuaran.
Deputy president of Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah, Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun, will head Zone Two covering Sepanggar, Kota Kinabalu, Penampang and Putatan.
Zone Three, comprising Papar, Kimanis, Beaufort and Sipitang, will be led by Parti Cinta Sabah president Tan Sri Anifah Aman.
Meanwhile, acting president of Parti Bersatu Sabah, Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam, will oversee Zone Four covering Ranau, Keningau, Pensiangan and Tenom.
President of the Liberal Democratic Party, Datuk Chin Su Phin, will lead Zone Five comprising Sandakan, Batu Sapi, Libaran, Beluran and Kinabatangan.
Zone Six, covering Tawau, Kalabakan, Lahad Datu and Semporna, will be coordinated by Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah president Tan Sri Liew Yun Fah.
Asked about potential cooperation with other political allies currently involved in the Sabah government, Hajiji said no decision has been made at this stage.
He said GRS is currently focused on strengthening its internal structure and preparing for the election.
“Regarding the other parties that are part of the state government, we have not made any decisions.
“That issue has not arisen and there has been no discussion on it yet,” he said.
The Sabah government is presently formed through cooperation between GRS, Pakatan Harapan, United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) and Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku.
Hajiji also reaffirmed that all GRS component parties would contest under the coalition’s logo in the coming election, describing it as an important symbol of unity and local political strength.
GRS currently comprises Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah, Parti Bersatu Sabah, Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku, Parti Cinta Sabah, Liberal Democratic Party, Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah and its newest component party, United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (UPKO).
He expressed confidence that with early preparations and close cooperation among all component parties, GRS would be in a strong position to face the next General Election.
