The GRS secretary-general said while the coalition was impacted by Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) and the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP)’s decision, it was also a wake-up call for its federal allies.
“Their exit should remind PH not to demand too many seats during negotiations, because it has its implications. Local representation must remain strong,” he said in a podcast tonight.
GRS confirmed last week that STAR and SAPP had left the coalition after the two parties insisted on contesting under their respective banners in the upcoming state election.
STAR and SAPP also wanted to field candidates against PH.
Masidi had, however, said at the time that the pact reached between GRS and PH must be respected.
PH was reported to be eyeing 23 seats in the state polls. According to Malaysiakini, PH had proposed that PKR be allotted 13 seats, with the remaining 10 to be split evenly between DAP and Upko.
STAR information chief Anuar Ghani was later reported as saying that the party had decided to go solo at the upcoming polls as GRS’s offer of 23 seats to PH was “excessive” and went against local sentiments.
Commenting further on STAR and SAPP’s exit, Masidi said GRS respects differing views.
“Sometimes in politics, we not only tolerate departures from our group but must celebrate them as part of the democratic process. The essence of democracy is our willingness to agree to disagree.”
On GRS’s readiness to face the coming polls, Masidi said the coalition remained confident of leading the state forward despite recent challenges, adding that it was “more prepared than others to continue governing Sabah”.
He said the coalition had gone through five years of trial and error and is now in a stronger position to continue building on the policies that were already in place.
He added that voters should value stability above all else and warned that constant political shifts would only set the state back.
“We don’t want a new government to start all over again with more trial and error. We’ve done that. Now we know the mistakes to avoid and the steps needed to move Sabah forward.”