Local-Party-Led State Governments No Barrier to Strong Federal Ties

14 May 2025

KIULU: A state government led by local parties is no obstacle to strong federal-state relations, said Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment.

Citing Sarawak as an example, Joniston , 8who also serves as Information Chief of Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) highlighted how Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), a coalition of local parties, continues to enjoy cordial and constructive relations with the federal government, despite independently governing the state.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony for the appointment letters of Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) chairmen here, Joniston asserted that the Sarawak model demonstrates the viability and integrity of GRS contesting the upcoming state election on its own.

“Even now, with GRS at the helm of the state government, its cooperation with the federal administration has yielded tangible benefits.

“Therefore, there should be no issue with GRS choosing to contest independently. This approach reflects the people’s aspirations to see Sabah governed by a locally rooted coalition that still maintains cohesive ties with Putrajaya,” he said.

Drawing further comparisons with Sarawak, Joniston stated that GRS can and should emulate GPS’s governance model, which combines political autonomy with stable and mature federal collaboration.

“Take Sarawak, for instance. Despite Pakatan Harapan (PH) being in opposition and Barisan Nasional (BN) having no representation there, GPS continues to engage constructively with Putrajaya as part of the federal government.

“The Prime Minister and the Sarawak Premier meet regularly. This illustrates that state-level political independence is not a hindrance, in fact, it is a strength,” he emphasised.

GRS is currently consolidating its position ahead of the forthcoming state election, following recent political developments involving Sabah PH and BN.

GRS Chairman and Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, had earlier indicated the coalition may contest independently after PH and BN jointly announced plans to cooperate in the Sabah polls.

However, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has since urged PH, BN, and GRS to collaborate in the interest of political stability and national progress.

GRS continues to maintain a working relationship with PH at the state level, particularly after the coalition backed Hajiji during the political crisis in January 2023, when UMNO and Warisan attempted to oust him.