KOTA KINABALU: Sabah's ruling 10-party Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition should register itself as a political group, says former chief minister Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak.

       He said that the coalition of four Barisan Nasional parties, five Perikatan Nasional parties and Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) needs to act immediately to strengthen itself as a registered political entity to avoid inter-party clashes.

       "The GRS coalition is effective because it involves the cooperation of national parties and local parties, where there is a clear structure and all have important roles,” said Salleh Said in a Facebook post on Thursday (Nov 25).

       "It seems that the people of Sabah prioritise political stability for the sake of a more orderly development and prosperity,” he added.

       Salleh Said also said that the recently-concluded Melaka state election clearly shows the continuity of this message, adding that Sabahans had given a mandate to GRS to form the new Sabah state government in the September 2020 snap election.

       The former federal minister said that the issue now is how to avoid clashes between GRS member parties, as was seen in the Melaka polls.

       “The political situation of Sabah is different from that of Peninsular Malaysia. We cannot be ignorant in this matter," said Umno's Usukan state assemblyman.

       Salleh said that GRS leaders should sit at the same table now and discuss immediate action to empower GRS.

       "It is important to empower GRS members to determine the direction of the GRS itself," he said, adding that they should prioritise the registration of GRS as an official political coalition.

       " GRS leaders need to talk it out to realize this objective. GRS may consider opening up membership directly to other parties becoming members of the GRS coalition party as well as individuals who wish to become regular GRS members," he added.

       Salleh Said said that it would ensure that the public was no longer confused about GRS, which remains focused on fulfilling its responsibilities to the people of Sabah.

       "We need to develop the state's economy, create jobs and prepare the younger generation as the future leaders of Sabah," he said, adding that he has given his views on the matter to GRS leadership,” he said.

       Salleh Said added that while there will be differences of opinion, he believes that it is important to discuss the matter now in an open, sensible and constructive manner.

       He also said that Sabah is a state blessed with a wealth of nature and multi-racial people.

       "The state of Sabah has been around as an entity for the past 140 years, since Nov 1, 1881. To move Sabah forward, GRS needs to set aside polemical politics and keep our focus on working for the people and the state," added Salleh Said.