Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor has warned that Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) is prepared to contest the next state election alone if Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) move ahead with their newly announced electoral partnership in Sabah.

Hajiji, who also chairs GRS, insisted that Sabah’s leadership must remain in the hands of local parties, cautioning against political arrangements that could weaken Sabah’s voice in its own governance.

“We uphold the principle that the Sabah government should be led by local parties who understand the realities, culture, and needs of the people—while recognising the role of national parties in a broader spirit of cooperation,” he said in a statement on Friday.

His remarks follow confirmation from PH and BN leaders that they will extend their federal-level alliance to Sabah, a move that could reshape the state’s political landscape.

Relations between GRS and BN remain strained following a public fallout between Hajiji and Sabah Umno chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin in early 2023. 

BN withdrew support for Hajiji’s administration but survived the crisis with backing from PH. 

Hajiji has since kept GRS on a separate path from BN, but keep several of its leaders in his administration. 

The latest PH-BN pact now threatens to place GRS on the sidelines, potentially forcing the coalition to defend its position without the support of either national bloc.

Hajiji signalled that GRS would not hesitate to go it alone, and may seek partnerships with other Sabah-based parties that share its commitment to protecting the state’s political identity.

“Abandoning this principle would mean ignoring the aspirations of the majority of Sabahans,” he said.

The chief minister defended the current GRS-PH cooperation model in Sabah, claiming it has delivered political stability at both state and federal levels.

“Ignoring local aspirations goes against the sentiments of the grassroots,” he added.

Hajiji said GRS leaders will meet soon to finalise their election strategy and begin consultations with their existing government partners on the coalition’s next move.

Observers say Hajiji’s latest comments set the stage for a possible three-cornered fight in the coming election, as GRS positions itself to rally Sabahans around its Sabah-first narrative.

The Sabah state election is expected to be called later this year. – May 9, 2025