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UPKO's application to join GRS accepted unanimously
🇲🇾 Malaysia /Technology

UPKO's application to join GRS accepted unanimously

From Utusan Malaysia · () Malay

Translated from Malay, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • The United Progressive Kinabalu Progress Party (UPKO) has been unanimously accepted into the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition.
  • GRS Chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor stated the move aims to strengthen local parties and maintain the stability of the state government.
  • The coalition will contest the upcoming general election using the GRS symbol, with plans to target 26 parliamentary seats, including Labuan.

The United Progressive Kinabalu Progress Party (UPKO) has officially joined the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition, with its application accepted unanimously by the coalition's leadership. The decision takes effect immediately, signaling a move to consolidate local political forces in Sabah.

We have unanimously agreed to accept UPKO as a new GRS component member. This acceptance is in line with GRS's struggle, namely Sabah United, Sabah First, to give strength to local coalition parties. We also want to maintain the stability of the existing state government.

— Datuk Seri Hajiji NoorExplaining the rationale behind accepting UPKO into the GRS coalition.

GRS Chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, who is also the Chief Minister of Sabah, stated that UPKO's inclusion aligns with GRS's core principles of "Sabah United, Sabah First." He emphasized that the entry of UPKO will further bolster the stability of the current state government, which is led by GRS. "We have unanimously agreed to accept UPKO as a new GRS component member. This acceptance is in line with GRS's struggle, namely Sabah United, Sabah First, to give strength to local coalition parties. We also want to maintain the stability of the existing state government," Noor said at a press conference following a Supreme Council meeting.

Noor confirmed that UPKO officially became a member of GRS on the day of the announcement, with the decision communicated to UPKO's leadership. He noted that all component parties agreed with UPKO's admission, as the coalition's primary objective is to strengthen GRS in preparation for the upcoming general election. "Everyone agreed because our goal is to strengthen GRS. There are no concerns or issues arising from this matter," he added.

Everyone agreed because our goal is to strengthen GRS. There are no concerns or issues arising from this matter.

— Datuk Seri Hajiji NoorConfirming consensus among coalition members regarding UPKO's entry.

Looking ahead to the general election, GRS is preparing its machinery across all parliamentary constituencies in Sabah. Hajiji Noor affirmed that the coalition will contest using its own symbol, the GRS logo, and will field winnable candidates. The coalition is reportedly targeting approximately 26 parliamentary seats, including Labuan, for the upcoming polls.

We will find candidates who can win. GRS remains GRS, and we will use the GRS logo. That is the decision.

— Datuk Seri Hajiji NoorStating the coalition's strategy for the upcoming general election.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Utusan Malaysia in Malay. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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