Mazlan Joehari Manan said GRS was no small entity and should vie for more than half of the 73 seats in the coming state election.

“Whatever electoral pact that is forged, GRS must be the dominant party when it comes to seat negotiations as well as championing the rights of the people,” he said in a statement.

Mazlan, who is also the Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah’s (PGRS) Lumadan division chief, said GRS should contest at least 50 seats. Hajiji is the PGRS president.

“We (GRS) are prepared to go solo if there are no negotiations,” he said.

It was previously reported that Sabah BN was eyeing 38 seats.

On May 9, Hajiji said the coalition was ready to contest in the upcoming Sabah election on its own if Pakatan Harapan and BN’s decision to cooperate in the state polls is final.

Hajiji said GRS had consistently held that local Sabah parties should be the backbone and head the state government, without sidelining the important role national parties played in the larger political framework.

Mazlan said GRS should not be looked down upon as the coalition represented Sabahans of various backgrounds.

“We are no ordinary coalition,” he said, adding that GRS represented Sabahans who yearned for development, stability and justice.

Yesterday, PH chairman Anwar Ibrahim said he was optimistic that the three coalitions would be able to reach an agreement for the state election.

Anwar, the prime minister, said Hajiji had his full support to lead discussions on an election pact involving GRS, PH and BN.

Hajiji, for his part, said the cooperation between GRS and Sabah PH had been smooth.