No grumbling within GRS over admission of Parti Cinta Sabah, says Masidi

KOTA KINABALU: There have been no complaints from Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) component parties over the inclusion of Parti Cinta Sabah (PCS) led by Tan Sri Anifah Aman in the ruling state coalition, says Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun.

The GRS secretary-general said the presidents of all seven component parties agreed to accept PCS into the fold.

Masidi, the state Finance Minister, was responding to reporters on Monday (May 27) about “political whispers” that there was no clear mandate given by GRS components for PCS’ entry.

He said even if the party presidents were not present, their approved representatives had agreed to accept PCS.

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On Thursday (May 23), Masidi said PCS had been accepted as the eighth member of the coalition with the unanimous agreement of all other component party presidents.

There have, however, been no official statements – congratulatory or otherwise – by GRS component parties so far.

The other seven parties in GRS are Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) led by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor; Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) led by Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili; Sabah STAR led by Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan; Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) under Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee; Usno led by Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia; the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) led by Datuk Chin Su Phin; and Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah led by Tan Sri Liew Yun Fah.

Pressed further about purported grumbling over PCS, Masidi said no one in GRS had said anything of the sort to him.

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“As you (the media) have rightly pointed out, these (are) perceived or alleged grumblings, but nobody has called me to say (anything).

“There is a (regular) GRS meeting so, if there is anything they are not happy about, it should be discussed internally,” said Masidi, who is with Gagasan Rakyat.

He said the rationale for accepting PCS was to unite local parties in the fight for state rights.

“Sabahans should be united in claiming our 40% entitlement rights, and all other rights as enshrined in the Federal Constitution.

“It looks good when everyone is on board,” Masidi added.