KOTA KINABALU: Unity in Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) is strong, and its chairman, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, regularly meets with component party leaders.
GRS Information Chief Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said these meetings address state matters and focus on party issues, reflecting the strong cohesion within the coalition.
Joniston was commenting on a viral report speculating that Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) hoped to collaborate with STAR and opposition Warisan for the next state election.
He dismissed the claims as baseless rumours aimed at undermining GRS unity.
"What was reported is nothing more than mere speculation peddled by irresponsible quarters with the malicious intention to break the strong unity in GRS," he said in a statement.
He said it must be noted that both the president of STAR Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan and PBS acting president Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam have already responded that their party are very much committed to GRS.
The statements by the two leaders should put an end to rumours and speculations intending to to create disharmony and discord in GRS.
"In the recent PBS-STAR Joint Leadership Council (JLC) meeting, both parties also emphasised the need to align their efforts to strengthen respective influence and GRS's presence across Sabah ahead of the state poll," said Joniston who is also PBS information chief and a member of the PBS-STAR JLC.
The PBS-STAR JLC was set up after the two parties, which hold seven and six seats in the state assembly, respectively, entered into a collaboration agreement.
As the second largest component member in GRS, Joniston said PBS would be at the forefront of ensuring GRS's convincing victory in the forthcoming state election.
He urged the public not to be misled by political propaganda, stating that those envious of GRS's growing strength will continue spreading falsehoods and baseless claims against the GRS-PH Plus government.