Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) has embarked on what may be its most delicate political task yet: dividing state seats among component parties ahead of the coming election.
GRS Secretary-General Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun noted that internal negotiations between eight parties won’t be without friction.
But instead of posturing or public confrontation, coalition leaders are opting for a more informal, conciliatory approach — what he calls “coffee-fuelled diplomacy.”
“We’ve decided that all the presidents of the component parties will discuss over coffee. I can sense that while there are challenges, the challenges can be overcome,” Masidi told reporters in Kota Kinabalu on Thursday.
He admitted that every party wants a larger share of the 73 available state seats — but said the priority must be winning, not quotas.
“Well, everyone wants to have a bigger number of seats… but unfortunately, there are only 73 state seats, and we need to divide them.
“I don’t know if there’s such a thing as fairness in politics, but eventually, it’s about putting in the best candidate to get the best chance to win, irrespective of which party in GRS they come from,” he said.
Masidi’s remarks come as GRS chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor reaffirmed the coalition’s openness to working with national coalition Pakatan Harapan (PH) in the next state election.
But any such pact is expected to come only after GRS settles its internal arrangements.
GRS comprises eight parties — Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah, Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR), Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP), United Sabah National Organisation (USNO), Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), and Parti Cinta Sabah.
Furthermore, the coalition is expected to contest under the GRS logo in the state election anticipated later this year.
While Masidi’s “coffee-table” metaphor signals calm and cooperation, it also masks a quiet struggle for influence and positioning within the alliance.
The talks, still in their early stages, he indicated, and are being conducted at the presidential level across the component parties.
Masidi also appeared dismissive over recent calls among some component parties to go into the state election independently or without any pact with national parties.
Even as GRS navigates its internal seat talks, the question of a formal seat-sharing arrangement with PH remains unresolved.
While PH is a partner in the state administration, discussions on electoral cooperation have yet to begin.
“We’re not in a hurry. We have a very good relationship with PH. “When the time comes, we’ll sit down nicely over coffee and discuss it,” he said.
Masidi also appeared unbothere with reports of potential independent candidates forming a bloc.
“It’s a democratic country. Meet you at the nomination centre,” he said. – April 24, 2025
