KOTA KINABALU: Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) could work with other coalition members in future should there be mutual respect, said Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan.
When asked whether he meant to continue the partnership with Sabah Pakatan Harapan-United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (UPKO), the GRS deputy chairman said the coalition did not mind keeping its status quo.
"We (GRS) don't mind, but keep it like that (referring to the status quo). Do not expand beyond that. We can work together, but don't come and take our seats," he told the media after launching the Sabah Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star) triennial meeting at the state International Convention Centre here.
There are currently seven lawmakers from Pakatan Harapan-Upko in the government.
Earlier, Kitingan, who is also Star president, said Sabahans should vote for leaders of local-based parties, especially for the parliamentary seats.
He added that with Sabah and Sarawak seats constituting only 25 per cent of the 222 seats in Parliament, both states would be at a disadvantage should lawmakers vote on issues that are against the two states.
"Look at our position, 75 per cent of the seats are from the peninsula. Should the Parliament want to amend the Constitution, we could not defend it.
"They have two-thirds of the parliamentary seats. If these are not enough, Peninsular Malaysia-based parties will want to take the limited seats that we have in Sabah.
"It would be foolish for us if we gave our seats to them. That is why we need people to understand the political situation here.
"By doing so, only then could we bring forward discussion and other movements on the Malaysia Agreement 1963."
Citing the past mistakes of Star fighting with Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), a Sabah-based party, during the 2018 general election, Jeffrey said that this had led to vote splitting, affecting the final result.
He added that Sabah's political parties should be united for the upcoming state election.
"If we (each Sabah-based party) get two or three seats (to contest during the state election), if we combine them, we (Sabahans) will still be governing (the state)."
GRS has eight component parties — Star, PBS, Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah, Parti Bersatu Sabah, Sabah Progressive Party, United Sabah National Organisation, Liberal Democratic Party, Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah and Parti Cinta Sabah.