He said the decision was made at a GRS Supreme Council meeting that he chaired today. There was no decision on the applications by Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat (KDM), Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and Parti Cinta Sabah (PCS).

“We truly appreciate their applications to join GRS but we, in a consensus, feel that we still need a little more time to interact and increase understanding … we need to know each other better first,” he said.

Hajji said Usno’s application was made more than a year ago, while applications from the other three were received one or two months ago.

“However, we will also involve KDM, LDP and PCS in GRS activities next time,” he told reporters.

The current Sabah state government was formed by an alliance of GRS and Barisan Nasional (BN) after state elections in September 2020.

BN is not a member of GRS, which was registered as a formal coalition in March, comprising Sabah PPBM (Bersatu), Parti Bersatu Sabah, Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku and the Sabah Progressive Party.

The presidents of the three parties, Maximus Ongkili, Jeffrey Kitingan and Yong Teck Lee were at today’s meeting. Hajiji is Sabah chairman of Bersatu.

Asked about cooperation with Perikatan Nasional (the alliance of Bersatu, PAS and other minor parties), Hajiji said the focus was to strengthen cooperation among GRS component parties.

He added that the GRS Supreme Council had also agreed to form a solidarity cooperation committee between GRS and Barisan Nasional, which has now forged close cooperation in the Sabah government.

“Our aim is to unite all the parties in GRS and BN so that we can face the 15th general election together; if possible let there be no contests between GRS and BN,” he said.

Hajiji said GRS would be launched on May 26.