Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) will field candidates in every seat settled through talks with Pakatan Harapan (PH) for the Sabah election, regardless of overlapping claims.
GRS secretary-general Masidi Manjun addressed reports of Upko eyeing GRS-held seats such as Limbahau, Kiulu, and Tamparuli.
He noted that GRS-PH negotiations proceeded in good faith and deserve respect from all involved, including Upko as a Sabah PH member.
“Upko is part of PH. On that basis, we expect everyone to honour the agreement,” he told The Borneo Post.
“If they don’t, then they are opening the door to an even wider free-for-all.”
“For us in GRS, the seats that have been negotiated with PH are where we will place our candidates, regardless of whoever else contests.”
Upko secretary-general Nelson Angang declared plans to run in Limbahau at the party’s Papar convention last month.
At the Tuaran convention the same month, Upko put forward honorary president Wilfred Madius Tangau for Tamparuli and division deputy chief Joisin Romut for Kiulu.
Limbahau is currently held by Juil Nuatim of Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah. Tamparuli belongs to Jahid Jahim of Parti Bersatu Sabah, and Kiulu to Joniston Bangkuai, also from PBS.
Masidi affirmed GRS’s commitment to the agreed seats, underscoring the need for mutual respect to uphold coalition ties.
On the chance of a multi-cornered free-for-all, he said politics holds surprises but hoped “common sense would prevail”.
“If you keep fighting each other, you are allowing parties who are not friendly to you to win,” he added.
“If we have decided to work as a team, then we should operate as a team. You cannot say you are a friend but at the same time stab someone in the back. Friendship, to my mind, doesn’t work that way.”
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