PITAS: Formalising Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) by registering the coalition would be a step in the right direction.
GRS information chief Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said this would further strengthen the coalition, which continues to show solid unity among its component parties.
"The relationship among parties under GRS is very close despite how social media portrays disunity.
"We are always in contact whenever there are issues or matters to be solved," he said with regards to the ties among the GRS component parties.
Joniston was speaking after launching the floating rest house and jetty at Kampung Puyuh here. He was commenting on a proposal made by former Chief Minister Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak.
Salleh had said registering GRS would enable the coalition to set its direction, which will allow it to fulfil its responsiblities to serve the people of Sabah and develop the state.
He had pointed out that formalising GRS would avoid potential clashes among component parties, while citing the recently-concluded Melaka election which was marred by the disunity between Barisan Nasional (BN) and Perikatan Nasional (PN).
GRS comprises BN, PN and Parti Bersatu Sabah.
Joniston, who is also Parti Bersatu Sabah secretary-general, added that the coalition should be retained as how Sarawak has its own Gabungan Parti Sarawak.
"In fact, we used GRS to win the last state election.
"It is better if GRS is registered to be more stable and official," he said adding many leaders in the coalition have similar views on the proposal.
Joniston said there had been informal discussions among the leaders on GRS' registration.
He said several details were being ironed out and the details of any possible registration would be decided and announced by Sabah Chief Minister-cum-GRS chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
