KOTA KINABALU: Sabah leaders have come to their senses by being independent in managing state issues said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan.
This was after leaders learnt their lessons through past actions and mistakes stemmed from relying on external power and invisible hands to decide the state's fate, to the extent Sabah had become one of the poorest states.
"Based on this awareness, we united with other existing political leaders today... we no longer want our fate and future to be decided by an external power.
"We can be independent and manage our own house, the Sabah house.
"That is why we need to discard the 'cane' to lean on, as we want to stand on our own feet to solve development issues, "he said.
Kitingan adds Sabah should emulate its neighbour Sarawak, which has resolved issues on its own, with their position being strengthened through the state-based Gabungan Parti Sarawak coalition.
He said a similar approach could be adopted by Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) in fighting for Sabah rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
He also added the word "Rakyat" to the acronym GRS, which showed that the members of the coalition are part of the Sabah people.
The Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) president was speaking at the launch of GRS at the Sabah International Convention Centre here, today.
Also present were leaders from GRS component parties, namely Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) and United Sabah National Organisation (USNO).
Meanwhile, PBS president Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongili said that the word "Gabungan" means unity and solidarity, which is synonymous with the Sabah based coalition's struggle.
"In PBS, there is also 'Bersatu' which refers to solidarity and unity. It is the basis of PBS struggle, which is based on solidarity, multiculturalism and unity.
"We hope that the GRS will also respect the principle of ensuring cooperation here.
"The GRS unity needs not only to be strengthened but also utilised as a long-term platform for political solidarity in Sabah. "
Ongkili, who is also GRS deputy chairman described the betrayal of United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (UPKO) to Barisan Nasional during the 2018 General Election as a blessing in disguise.
He said because of UPKO's actions, GRS was established and defeated other political outfits.
"A fight without principle will not last long.
"A unity which is weak will not last long. Such (weak) unity will come and go because it is not real. They are fake and temporary themselves.
"I have full faith in GRS. We will nurture and strengthen this unity and promote it as a platform for political stability in Sabah.
"Such stability will bring greater development for the state, besides fighting for the rights of Sabah and Sabahans."