Decision to quit Bersatu and focus on GRS in best interests of Sabah, Malaysia - Masidi

KOTA KINABALU: Bersatu Sabah leaders' decision to focus on Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) by getting out of Bersatu was made in the best interests of Sabah and for the greater good of Malaysia, said GRS secretary-general Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun.

Masidi, who is also former Bersatu Sabah deputy chief, said the increasing racial and religious rhetoric of some Peninsula-based parties, especially in the run-up to the 15th General Election (GE15), was inconsistent with the values of a multi-racial and multi-religious Sabah and Sarawak.

"Many tend to forget that many Sabahans as well as Sarawakians have family members of different religious faiths.

"In fact the current Unity Government under (Prime Minister) Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim best represents the making of an administration that embraces the interests of all Malaysians, whilst protecting the position of Islam, Bumiputras, Sabah and Sarawak," he said in a statement today.

Today GRS chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said leaders of Bersatu Sabah led by him had unanimously decided to leave the party but would remain under GRS.

GRS, which before this comprised Bersatu, Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR), Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) and United Sabah National Organisation (USNO), cooperates with Barisan Nasional (BN) to administer Sabah.

Masidi said GRS will support any leader or coalition who is committed to the preservation of the Malaysian way of life which has a place for everyone, and that is why the coalition is wholeheartedly behind Anwar.

"We are are just simple Sabahans who want to protect our cultural and social heritage from being adulterated with non-Sabahan values. We honestly think we are the best Malaysians," he said.

In TAWAU, Apas state assemblyman Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan said the decision to leave Bersatu was based on the premise that the situation was no longer tenable to remain in the status quo, because at the federal level Bersatu is in the opposition while GRS has pledged support for the Unity Government.

"We believe this decision is the best for unity and political stability in Sabah," the Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister told reporters after closing a convention and the 10th anniversary celebration of the Persatuan Mualaf Tawau today.

-- BERNAMA