KOTA KINABALU: Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) is not anti-federal, but the coalition believes that the state must be led by its own leaders and free from outside influence, says Datuk Joniston Bangkuai.

The GRS information chief said disagreements over seat allocations among parties seeking to form alliances are likely to result in a free-for-all in the upcoming state election.

He urged voters to choose stability over political gamesmanship.

“We have seen the damage caused by reckless power plays," he said on Wednesday (May 21), referring to the failed January 2023 attempt to topple the GRS government.

"Sabah needs steady hands and sincere leadership. This election is our opportunity to move forward, not backwards,” he added.

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Bangkuai, who is also Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) information chief and Kiulu assemblyman, said GRS must be ready for any eventuality, including contesting solo as indicated by Chief Minister and GRS chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.

Hajiji had previously said the coalition was prepared to go it alone after Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan signed a declaration agreeing to cooperate in the Sabah election, a move some described as a deliberate snub to GRS.

Bangkuai noted that a free-for-all could be a blessing in disguise, as it would allow Sabahans to choose between local parties and those led from Peninsular Malaysia.

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“Sabahans could well treat the upcoming state election as a referendum to choose from GRS, Umno-led Barisan, Pakatan, and Parti Warisan.

“This will be a clear test of whether we want to be led by leaders from local parties or by those who answer to parties headquartered in Kuala Lumpur,” he said at a meet-the-people session in Kg Tibabar after officiating the upgraded Poturidong-Tibabar road.

Bangkuai said GRS has proven that Sabah-based coalitions can deliver meaningful development while maintaining a strong working relationship with the Federal Government.

He said the increase in the annual federal special grant from RM53mil during Warisan’s tenure to RM600mil under GRS was an example.

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Another example he cited was the signing of the commercial collaboration agreement between the GRS-led state government and PETRONAS, which brought tangible benefits and increased state revenue.

He said good governance, a focused development strategy under the Sabah Maju Jaya initiative, and close ties with Putrajaya had contributed to the state's annual revenue increasing to RM6.9bil, with reserves nearing RM8bil.

“We are not anti-federal, but we believe Sabah must lead itself, with leaders not bound by outside instructions.

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“GRS is proof that Sabah can work maturely with Putrajaya, and still prioritise the people of Sabah above all,” he said.

Bangkuai also addressed past political manoeuvres involving Barisan, Warisan and Parti KDM, describing their joint attempt to topple the Chief Minister in January 2023 as politically ill-intentioned and damaging.

“It was never about leadership, it was about control and self-interest,” he said.