Sabah Umno’s priority must be GRS, not PAS, says Salleh

Former Sabah chief minister Salleh Said Keruak has emphasized that Sabah Umno's priority should be the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) partnership rather than forming an automatic alliance with PAS. He cautioned against assuming that the Umno-PAS pact in West Malaysia would work in Sabah, as the two regions have distinct political environments and needs.

Salleh stressed that Sabah Umno should work closely with local parties, particularly GRS, to ensure political stability, development, and the rights of Sabah's people. This approach would better resonate with Sabah voters, who prioritize state interests, autonomy, and development over state-centric political arrangements. In the recent state election, GRS secured 29 out of 73 seats, while Warisan took 25, capturing almost three-quarters of the assembly.

Other parties, such as Barisan Nasional, Perikatan Nasional, and Pakatan Harapan, saw significant losses in Sabah, highlighting the state's inclination towards local political forces.