Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) flexed its muscles in the 17th Sabah state election yesterday, retaining key constituencies with convincing majorities.
Hajiji Noor’s coalition had to overcome several initial hurdles prior to the state polls, particularly Jeffrey Kitingan leading Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) out of GRS and allegations involving the Sabah mining scandal.
Warisan’s emergence as a possible contender and clashes with Barisan Nasional had also threatened the local coalition’s hold on multiple seats.
This was also GRS’s first state election as an official coalition, as it took part in the 2020 polls as an informal alliance which included Sabah Umno and Sabah Bersatu.
Hajiji had led an exodus of Sabah Bersatu leaders after the 2022 general election as they backed the unity government led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
Hajiji, the…