GRS split gives PH and BN an edge ahead of Sabah State election

PONTIAN - The withdrawal of Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star) and Parti Maju Sabah (SAPP) from Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) has shaken the coalition’s stability, offering Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Harapan (PH) a potential advantage in the coming state election.

Umno War Room secretariat chief Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said the move provides an opening for BN and PH to strengthen their position ahead of the 17th Sabah State Election (PRN17), which is expected to take place soon.

“This latest situation gives BN an advantage as it has been preparing early for any possibility, including the upcoming Sabah state election,” he said.

“With this latest development, we see there is an advantage for us. Umno’s machinery has been ready from the start, not at the last minute,” he added.

Ahmad, who is also the Pontian Member of Parliament, made the remarks after officiating the National Level Interstates Chess Championship at Dewan Muafakat Taman Saujana on Sunday.

The decision by Star and SAPP to withdraw from GRS was finalised during the coalition’s Presidential Council Meeting chaired by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor at Sri Gaya on Wednesday.

GRS Secretary-General Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said the two-hour meeting was attended by all presidents of GRS component parties.

Speculation regarding the dissolution of the Sabah State Legislative Assembly (DUN) has been intensifying, with several possible dates being mentioned.

Recent media reports, quoting senior political sources, stated that the official announcement of the DUN dissolution is expected on Monday, Oct 6.

If not dissolved earlier, the 16th Sabah State Legislative Assembly will automatically dissolve on Nov 11, paving the way for the state polls.

Amid heightened speculation and debate on social media, Hajiji’s media office said a press conference on the dissolution would be called at the appropriate time.

With GRS now splintered and Sabah in crisis, BN and PH appear to be eyeing a rare opportunity to shift the balance.

But whether they can convert advantage into victories will depend on how effectively they navigate both the electoral clock and the state’s disaster woes.

For the record, in the September 2020 polls, the Warisan-Pakatan Harapan state government led by Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal was ousted by a loose coalition of Perikatan Nasional, Barisan Nasional and Parti Bersatu Sabah, which later formalised into GRS.

As of now, GRS holds 42 seats in the 73-member assembly, while Sabah Barisan has 12, Warisan 14, Pakatan seven, Parti KDM two and Pas one.

The Sungai Sibuga seat is vacant following the death of Barisan assemblyman Mohamad Hamsan Awang Supain.