Gabungan Rakyat Sabah deputy secretary-general Armizan Mohd Ali has dismissed claims that Bersatu vice-president Ronald Kiandee is joining the coalition, describing the reports as mere speculation.
No discussions at coalition level
According to Sinar Harian, Armizan said there have been no discussions within GRS regarding the matter.
“As a senior politician, I don’t think Kiandee would make a decision to join any component party in GRS in the near term,” he told reporters after an event in Papar, Sabah, today.
However, Armizan emphasised that he was not speaking on behalf of the GRS component parties.
“This matter has never been discussed, let alone by those representing the likes of Parti Bersatu Sabah, Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah, Liberal Democratic Party, or United Sabah National Organisation,” he added.
The other component parties in GRS are Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah and Parti Cinta Sabah.
Emphasis on core principles for membership
Earlier today, a news portal report claiming that Kiandee was likely to join GRS had been widely circulated.
Armizan said that any participation in GRS must be based on the coalition’s guiding principles.
“Personally, anyone wishing to join GRS or a local component party must adhere to the four core principles of GRS: Sabah First, Sabah Prosper, Sabah Forward, and Sabah United.”
“We need to be open and welcome those who want to join local parties while embracing these four principles. When everyone operates within the framework of local politics, our voice becomes stronger, and we are more united,” he said.
Context of Kiandee’s recent criticism
Kiandee has been vocal about the sacking of Bersatu deputy president Hamzah Zainudin, who was among 17 party leaders expelled on Friday.
He accused the party’s disciplinary board of abusing its power in sacking Hamzah, claiming the board is being manipulated to conceal party president Muhyiddin Yassin’s shortcomings and ensure his continued leadership.
