PBS vice-president Dr Joachim Gunsalam, who is also Sabah deputy chief minister, said focus should be channelled to addressing problems caused by the Covid-19 pandemic instead of entertaining such talk.

“It is important for the GRS state government to give its full attention to resolving the Covid-19 problem in Sabah rather than wasting time and effort on the ‘tukar kerajaan’ (changing government) politics,” he said in a statement here today.

“This is definitely not the time for changing a government. How can we be sure that the spread of Covid-19 will stop after we change the government?

“Or maybe it will get worse? There is no certainty.”

Gunsalam’s remarks come after chief minister and GRS chairman Hajiji Noor said the coalition leaders have reached a consensus to maintain cooperation in the state government and uphold the mandate given by the people at the 16th Sabah elections last September.

Hajiji’s statement yesterday was issued hours before Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced that the party was withdrawing its support for the PN-led government.

Zahid went on to say that there were sufficient statutory declarations from Umno MPs declaring that they were withdrawing support for Muhyiddin as the prime minister.

Backing Hajiji’s call, Gunsalam, who is Kundasang assemblyman, said Sabahans had given GRS the mandate in last year’s state election, hence, it is the duty of GRS leaders now to fulfil it.

“Let us not continue with playing politics and give full focus to resolving the Covid-19 problem,” he said.

Gunsalam, who is also Sabah industrial development minister, said the GRS government is also on track in attracting foreign and local investors to the state.

GRS has 48 assemblymen, including nominated reps, in the 79-seat state assembly, consisting of 23 from PN, 16 from Umno, seven from PBS and two GRS-friendly independents.