FORMER Bersatu members from Sabah will take over Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan) and Chief Minister Hajiji Noor will lead it.

Last month, Sabah Bersatu chapter members, led by Hajiji, had quit the party en masse.

Gagasan, will now be the new political vehicle for former Bersatu members in the state as move to formalise the takeover to be completed in the near future.

Hajiji told Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) student wing that Gagasan had been admitted into the state’s ruling coalition on December 9.

According to The Star, on December 11 the semi-dormant party was seen as the leading candidate for a new “home” for those who had left Sabah Bersatu.

Gagasan was registered in August 2013 as a multiracial political party.

It did not become active until 2016 owing to reported manpower and funding issues.

It contested without success in the 2020 snap state elections. It was later involved in talk of forming a united local-based opposition front led by former foreign minister Anifah Aman, but later pulled out of the planned merger.

On December 10, Hajiji said GRS had unanimously decided to quit the Muhyiddin Yassin-led party after considering the current political landscape, especially in Sabah.

He said GRS-Barisan Nasional (GRS-BN) has also taken the advice of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on the formation of a unity government led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for political stability and economic recovery. 

GRS initially combined with Perikatan Nasional, Barisan Nasional and Parti Bersatu Sabah to win the majority of seats in the 2020 state elections to form the government in Sabah.  

Upon registration, GRS consisted of four Sabah parties and one national party, namely Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku, Parti Bersatu Sabah, Sabah Progressive Party, Sabah Bersatu, and United Sabah National Organisation. – January 29, 2023.