Joniston…Warisan is prepared to do anything that serves its interest.
KOTA KINABALU : – Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) Information Chief Datuk Joniston Bangkuai has described Parti Warisan’s announcement to contest all 73 State seats in the upcoming state election as mere rhetoric.
He said Warisan’s contention that it is doing so to block Peninsula-based parties from interfering in Sabah politics “reeks of hypocrisy,” recalling the party’s action to team up with Umno in the failed attempt to unseat the Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor-led State Government in January 2023.
“Wasn’t Warisan’s move to be in cahoots with Umno in the failed 2023 ‘Langkah Kinabalu’ tantamount to giving Umno a life-line? Is Umno not a peninsula-based party?
“Warisan’s action shows that it is prepared to do anything that serves its interest,” said Joniston, who is also Parti Bersatu (PBS) Information Chief.
While Warisan has the right to contest all 73 state seats, Joniston said politics should not be reduced to a game of one-upmanship.
“Even in Sarawak, PBB could govern independently but chose to form GPS for a more inclusive state government,” said the Kiulu assemblyman during a meet-the-people session in Kampung Ranau-Ranau in his constituency.
He also said that political stability from the very first day after polling is critical to ensuring that the government can immediately focus on serving the people.
Joniston stressed that Sabah’s political realities demand an end to post-election horse-trading, which risks delaying the urgent work of governing.
“We must be realistic. The priority is to have a stable government from day one, without endless bargaining or prolonged negotiations after the election.
“The sooner we have clarity, the sooner we can get to work,” he said.
He noted that just as GRS works closely with Pakatan Harapan (PH) today, such cooperation safeguards Sabah’s voice at the federal level while ensuring the state remains steady in its own governance.
He stressed that the partnership is built on mutual respect, with Sabah’s leadership and decision-making firmly in the hands of GRS.
“When the state and federal governments can work in sync, Sabah gains in funding, development, and policy support. That’s what matters to our people,” he said.
Joniston believed that only with stability can the government fully focus on solving pressing issues, from improving rural infrastructure to ensuring a reliable water and electricity supply and creating more economic opportunities for the people.
Joniston added that consistency in principles is essential to earn and keep public trust, especially when safeguarding Sabah’s autonomy.
While acknowledging that the people’s mandate will ultimately shape the next government, he said GRS is committed to placing Sabah’s stability and development above political brinkmanship.