GRS likely to give way to BN in Lamag by-election, says Hajiji

KOTA KINABALU (Dec 16): Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) is unlikely to contest the Lamag state seat in the upcoming by-elections, Chief Minister and GRS chairman Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor said.

Speaking to reporters at the end of the second day of the State Assembly Sitting here today, Hajiji said the matter would be discussed within the GRS leadership, but indicated that the coalition was inclined to give way as a sign of respect to the party that previously won the seat.

“I think we will discuss this within GRS. But I want to state that most likely we will not contest. We will give respect to the party that won,” he said, noting that the party concerned is part of the current Sabah state government.

Barisan Nasional (BN) won the Lamag seat through the late Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin in the 17th state election that was held last month. Bung Moktar who was also Kinabatangan Member of Parliament, passed away on Dec 5.

Hajiji said GRS would instead focus on supporting BN to ensure its victory in the by-elections.
“That is all I want to say. We will give way. We will help them to win the by-election,” he said.

The Election Commission (EC) has set Jan 24 for the Kinabatangan parliamentary and Lamag state by-elections.

Following a special meeting in Putrajaya on Tuesday, EC chairman Datuk Seri Ramlan Harun also announced that nomination day will be on Jan 10, while early voting will be carried out on Jan 20.

Asked whether the approach would apply to both the Lamag state by-election and the Kinabatangan parliamentary by-election, Hajiji said discussions would be held with Umno president and Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

“That is what we want to discuss. But in principle, we will give way,” he said.