Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) has signaled a shift in tone, stepping back from earlier indications that Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) would align with Pakatan Harapan (PH) in the upcoming state election.

Its chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said that any decision on political alliances will now be left to the GRS Supreme Council to decide.

The remarks come after Barisan Nasional (BN) and PH sealed their electoral pact in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday—a move that could reshaped Sabah’s political landscape and complicated GRS’s next steps.

Hajiji’s immediate reaction had been that GRS was prepared to go solo. 

But after meeting with Prime Minister and PH chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in Tawau a day later, the Chief Minister appeared to soften that stance. 

Anwar reportedly floated a broader GRS-PH-BN alliance during the meeting.

“I met with the Prime Minister and we respect his views and advice on how to achieve political stability in Sabah,” Hajiji said. 

“But whatever decision we make for the state election will be referred to the GRS Supreme Council for approval.”

GRS—an eight-party state coalition that includes Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah, Parti Bersatu Sabah, Sabah STAR, SAPP, USNO, PCS, LDP, and Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah—had previously signaled openness to working with PH. 

Hajiji himself publicly expressed such intentions last December.

Many saw the PH and BN’s formal alliance announcement on Saturday have left GRS out of the equation. 

Hajiji also also faces pressure within GRS as some of its leaders have called him to go into the polls independently. 

Among those pushing for a solo run are Sabah STAR president Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan, SAPP president Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee, and USNO president Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia—all of whom have previously voiced skepticism toward formal pacts with peninsula-based parties.

Hajiji acknowledged the internal debates but insisted that local interests must come first. 

“I told the Prime Minister that in Sabah, we must consider local aspirations to build the political understanding needed to move forward,” he said.

Hajiji, however, brushed off criticisms labeling him a “weak” leader, saying his commitment to defending Sabah’s interests remains firm.

“People may call me soft or sentimental, but they don’t really know me. I am not afraid to fight because I know the people are with GRS,” he said. – May 13, 2025