In a statement today, GRS deputy chairman Maximus Ongkili said this was decided at the coalition’s Supreme Council meeting on Dec 9.

On Dec 10, GRS chairman Hajiji Noor announced that Sabah Bersatu leaders and their supporters were leaving the Muhyiddin Yassin-led party.

He said the “unanimous decision” by Sabah Bersatu leaders to quit the party was based on the premise that the status quo is “no longer tenable”.

While GRS had pledged its support for the unity government led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Bersatu, which is part of the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition is in the opposition.

Ongkili said the GRS Supreme Council also decided to retain Hajiji as the coalition’s chairman.

Asked to comment on Sabah Bersatu chief Ronald Kiandee’s statement disputing the right of GRS to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to support Anwar’s administration, Ongkili said Kiandee was in no position to say so.

“Kiandee or his party has nothing to do with the MoU on the unity government as his party had rejected the government’s goals and principles,” he said.

Ongkili stressed that GRS was committed to ensuring a stable federal government was in place for the sake of the people and the development of the nation.

The MoU was signed by former Sabah Bersatu chief Hajiji Noor, as chairman of GRS, as well as by the leaders of Pakatan Harapan (PH), Barisan Nasional (BN), Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS),  and Warisan.

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