Tawau: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim emphasized the necessity of cooperation between Pakatan Harapan (PH), Barisan Nasional (BN), and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) for ensuring political stability at both the national and state levels in Sabah during the upcoming State Election (PRN).

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Anwar, who also chairs PH, mentioned that discussions regarding this cooperation are ongoing and no final decision has been reached. The Prime Minister clarified that the previous statement about an agreement between PH and BN Sabah was limited to those two parties and did not yet involve GRS.

“We intend to collaborate with UMNO-BN and GRS, which is why I visited Tawau and held discussions with Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji to secure an agreement among GRS, PH, and BN,” Anwar stated after leading the Sabah PKR State Leadership Council (MPN) meeting.

Joining the meeting was Sabah PKR MPN chairman and Deputy Minister of Higher Education Datuk Mustapha Sakmud, along with other top Sabah PKR leaders. Anwar informed attendees that he planned to meet Hajiji in Tawau to discuss broadening and opening the agreement among the three parties.

Anwar elaborated, “This is necessary because our priorities are national and state political stability, and fostering a good relationship between the state and Federal governments.”

When asked about PH’s optimism in collaborating with GRS for the state election, Anwar expressed positivity, citing constructive discussions with PH leadership, although he noted that GRS would make its own decision.

Earlier reports indicated that BN and PH agreed to cooperate in the Sabah PRN17, as announced by the Unity Government’s secretariat chief, Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, and PH’s Secretary-General, Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. In response, Hajiji, who also chairs the Sabah People’s Alliance (GRS), stated that GRS is prepared to contest independently and collaborate with other like-minded local parties if PH and BN Sabah decide to cooperate in PRN17.