Ceramah Perdana GRS creates history with largest gathering of leaders

GRS comprises Perikatan Nasional (PN), Barisan Nasional (BN) and Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS).

The GRS leaders that came together at the event were Prime Minister cum Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, MCA president Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong, Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) president Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) president Datuk Yong Teck Lee, Sabah PN chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor and PBS president Arthur Joseph Kurup.

Also present were UMNO vice-president Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid, PAS vice-president Senator Idris Ahmad, PAS secretary-general Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan, Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin, Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) secretary-general Datuk Jahid Jahim and PN-Bersatu candidate for Petagas Datuk Seri Arsit Sedi.

Addressing the crowd and voters at the event, Jahid explained that GRS was formed following the preparedness of all the parties involved to work together to save Sabah.

He said during their first meeting with Muhyiddin, all party leaders agreed to offer an alternative government for Sabah, a stable government based on the performance showed by the PN-led federal government.

“We gathered here today in unity to offer the best service to save Sabah. This is very important and I saw the seriousness of these leaders that has brought us all here today,” he said.

Meanwhile, Yong who is former Sabah Chief Minister, admitted that GRS is the best thing ever happened to the Sabahans.

“This is GRS’s first ceramah programme...the concept had long been established, it is finally becoming a reality. I am proud with the success. This is because it is a coalition of national and local parties,” he said.

Meanwhile, Wee who admitted he never dreamt of sharing the same stage with Yong, wanted the people to emulate the spirit of the former Chief Minister to rise again in order to see a brighter future for the state.

“When I entered politics, he (Yong) had already retired but now he is coming back. If he could rise again, it means the entire Sabah people could also rise again,” he said.

In his speech, Wee, who is also Transport Minister, also touched on how the federal government under Muhyiddin’s leadership, which had been a stable, responsive and caring government, could benefit the state government aligned with it.

Meanwhile, Jeffrey said Sabahans should use this second opportunity to make the best decision for their future.

“We have tested the (Warisan) government for two years. Not only that we saw no development, they also have no direction and plans.

“So, they should be replaced. We do not want to turn back, we want to move forward.

“So the people must be united, cooperate and ensure the present government is replaced by the caring government led by Muhyiddin Yassin,” he said.

The Sabah state election is seeing 73 state seats contested by 447 candidates from 15 parties.

Polling is on Saturday.