Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) is unlikely to contest the Lamag state seat in the upcoming by-elections, as stated by Chief Minister and GRS chairman Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor.
In a recent statement to reporters following the second day of the State Assembly Sitting, Hajiji indicated that this matter would be discussed among GRS leadership. He suggested that the coalition is leaning towards stepping aside as a gesture of respect for the party that previously held the seat.
Discussion Among GRS Leadership
“I think we will discuss this within GRS. But I want to state that most likely we will not contest. We will give respect to the party that won,” he remarked, noting that the party in question is part of the current Sabah state government.
Barisan Nasional (BN) secured the Lamag seat through the late Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin during the 17th state election held last month. Bung Moktar, who was also the Member of Parliament for Kinabatangan, passed away on December 5.
Focus on Supporting BN
Hajiji expressed that GRS would concentrate on supporting BN to ensure their success in the upcoming by-elections. “That is all I want to say. We will give way. We will help them to win the by-election,” he affirmed.
The Election Commission (EC) has scheduled January 24 for the Kinabatangan parliamentary and Lamag state by-elections.
A special meeting in Putrajaya on Tuesday led to EC chairman Datuk Seri Ramlan Harun announcing that nomination day will be on January 10, with early voting occurring on January 20.
Future Discussions
When asked if this approach would extend to both the Lamag state by-election and the Kinabatangan parliamentary by-election, Hajiji stated that discussions would take place with Umno president and Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
“That is what we want to discuss. But in principle, we will give way,” he concluded.
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