LABUAN, Oct 8 — Member of Parliament Datuk Suhaili Abdul Rahman said Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) is well-positioned and will survive the abrupt exit of Pari Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) led by Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan.

“It’s no big deal as the political vacuum could be filled by other component parties in the six-party coalition led by PGRS President Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor,” he said.

He believed it was purely Jeffrey’s personal decision.

“Making such choice is the president’s prerogative and right. Whether the STAR breakaway and contest solo in the coming 17th Sabah State Election is in its best interest would be known after the ballots are counted,” he said. 

Suhaili said the fate of political parties lies in the hands of voters. 

“In this case, STAR may have turned a sure winner in the Interior, regarded as its stronghold, into uncertainty,” he said.

STAR and SAPP and six other parties — PGRS, PBS, Usno, PHRS, LDP and PCS — made up the ruling GRS led by Hajiji.

Based on reports, the decision by STAR and SAPP to exit GRS and contest the state election solo was due to differences in opinions on the number of seats to be allocated to federal-based Pakatan Harapan (PH).

GRS Secretary-General Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun denied the reports, saying seat negotiations had not been finalised. 

The State Assembly has 73 elected representatives. Suhaili also said catchy slogans such as “Sabah for Sabahans” were concocted by politicians, and not voters, to serve their own interest.

“Such slogans are not in touch with reality because good Federal-State relationship is essential for Sabah to achieve its development targets, recognition of rights under MA63 and a higher return of Sabah revenue from federal government.” 

Suhaili said Hajiji moved on the right track and Sabah is steadily moving forward in all directions.

“Cooperation and not confrontation is the name of the game.”

He also pointed out the regular visits of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and meeting State leaders, saying it was a clear indication of the PM’s attention on Sabah.

Recently, the PM approved RM10 million through the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) to assist flood victims in Sabah and this was in addition to the RM11 million already channelled through the State Government for urgent repairs of basic infrastructure.

STAR presently has six assemblymen, one less than PBS, while SAPP has zero seats.

A recent setback for Jeffrey was he was implicated in the mining scandal and interviewed by MACC for hours. He, however, denied all the allegations, saying it was to destroy his image. — Daily Express