KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) is confident that the mutual understanding within Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) can be maintained.
Its chief Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said this was based on the determination and commitment shown by the leaders in GRS component parties including Umno, which would further strengthen the coalition's position.
He said the strength and unity of GRS was important for Sabah as a platform to ensure that the state's voice and interests in the federation were always given due attention and protection.
"The fact is, today we may be in different political parties but we were once together in the same clique.
"The GRS will be a catalyst for us to unite on a platform of cooperation for the benefit of the people, to build a more developed and successful Sabah.
"We will be respected if we are strong and united in highlighting the voice and struggle of the state and the people. Our efforts will be more effective when we become part of the backbone of the federal government's strength," he said at the party's second anniversary celebration here last night launched by the party's deputy president Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu.
Present were Bersatu vice president Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee and secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin; state deputy chief Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun as well as representatives of GRS component party leaders.
GRS was formed after the State Election (PRN) last September through the collaboration of the Perikatan Nasional comprising of Sabah Bersatu, Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) and Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP); Barisan Nasional (BN) comprising of Umno, MCA and Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS); and Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS).
Hajiji, who is also the state Chief Minister, said the party appreciated the commitment shown by all parties in GRS, especially Sabah Umno which had previously clarified its stance to continue defending GRS and would not clash with each other in the next election.
"I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to Sabah Umno chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin for his commitment to ensure that there will be no clash of seats between Umno and Bersatu in Sabah, as he announced a few days ago. Sabah Bersatu highly applauded this stance.
"I also hope that Muafakat GRS will be able to bring us together to ensure that there will be no clash of seats between all component partners in GRS. Insya-Allah, I am confident that the spirit of Muafakat GRS will drive us towards unity and a more cohesive spirit of cooperation.
"We have built the victory together, today let us together fill and defend the victory. The strength of each GRS component party will strengthen the GRS Consensus," he said.
Hajiji also said Sabah Bersatu and GRS were also committed to continue supporting the leadership of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as the prime minister in leading the Pakatan Nasional government.
"We are grateful to have a prime minister who cares deeply about Sabah. Since I led the state government, the prime minister has always expressed the federal government's high commitment to help Sabah. This commitment also translates into various actions that benefit us in Sabah.
"For that reason, Sabah Bersatu and all GRS component party partners are committed to supporting the leadership of the Prime Minister and the federal government.
"We in Sabah must act to ensure the federal and state governments are stable in the interest of the people and the country," he said.
