KOTA KINABALU: There will be political stability in Sabah even if Barisan Nasional is not in the state-led Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition, says Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.

       The Chief Minister said this was because although Barisan, which includes Umno, was not officially a part of the recently registered coalition, Barisan was still an ally and part of the state government.

       “Umno is still part of the state government and our political ally,” he said.

       “GRS is now made up of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia Sabah, Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), Sabah STAR and SAPP,” Hajiji said after chairing the first GRS meeting on Friday (March 18).

       The protem committee is made of a chairman, Hajiji, while the deputies are PBS’ Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili, Sabah STAR’s Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan and SAPP’s Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee.

       He sees this coalition as a strengthening of the state government and the emergence of a new political era in Sabah.

       Asked how confident or concerned he was about the political stability in Sabah following the conflict between Umno and Bersatu in Peninsular Malaysia, Hajiji said the situation in Sabah is different.

       “There are countless possibilities in politics but I think what happened in Melaka and Johor is not the same as Sabah,” he said.

       He said what was happening in Peninsular Malaysia would not affect the political situation in Sabah.

       Hajiji said the launching of GRS would be held at a later date before the end of May.

       “We will be using this GRS logo in the coming elections,” he added.

       He said preparations to face the coming elections are being done and that there was enough time to introduce to the people this new GRS logo.

       GRS secretary-general Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said the registration of GRS was to establish stable politics in the state, adding that it was time to work for the people.

       Earlier when asked about Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat (KDM) and Usno’s wish to be part of GRS, Hajiji said thorough consideration was being made through the setting up of a new special committee.

       On other matters, Hajiji also supports calls to see more seats coming from Sabah and Sarawak in Parliament.

       He said the GRS government will pursue this matter accordingly.

       On Thursday (March 17), Ongkili said in Parliament that the suggestion for additional seats or one-third for Sabah had been brought up in 2012.

       He suggested MPs from Sabah and Sarawak discuss this openly and systematically and to present their decision to the Election Commission for further consideration.