Strains begin to show after GRS officially forms pact with PH

SIGNS have emerged that not all is well with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah’s (GRS) plan to align with Pakatan Harapan (PH), after a senior Sabah Star figure called for the party to leave the coalition.

The party Sulaman divisional chairman and former Tuaran MP Datuk Kalakau Untol said supporters were upset over the pact.

“Enough is enough. The people are tired of endless political games that put coalition deals above their daily struggles.

“If STAR remains in GRS, it betrays the expectations of those who trusted the party to speak without fear or favour,” he said in a statement.

The GRS supreme council met on Aug 11 and reaffirmed its commitment to the electoral pact with PH and BN.

Star president Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan, who has previously pushed for GRS to “go solo,” attended the meeting but has remained silent since.

This marks the first time a Star member has openly voiced concern over working with PH and urged the party to abandon the ruling state coalition.

It could not be immediately confirmed whether Kalakau’s statement reflected his personal view or the party’s official stance.

Kalakau said Star’s founding struggle to defend Sabah’s rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 was being “drowned by compromises” inside GRS.

He also criticised Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) for supporting the coalition despite its nationalist roots in the 1980s.

“PBS is now sacrificing its original objective of fighting for the rights and dignity of Sabah.

“The rakyat are restless. They want leaders who dare to stand alone if necessary, leaders who place Sabah first,” he said.

He added that the PH-BN pact sealed in late July would tighten federal control over Sabah’s administration and resources.

“Leaving GRS is not just politics — it is also about integrity and honour,” he said. — September 1, 2025