00:00Analysts say a pre-election alliance between Gabungan Rakyat Sabah and Perikatan Nasional
00:05ahead of the next Sabah state election was always unlikely.
00:09University Malaysia Sabah's Bill Chirbala said even if the opposition coalition had
00:14sought cooperation, a PN-GRS alliance would have been a tough sell.
00:20Last week, PN Chairman Muhyiddin Yassin said the coalition would not work with GRS in the
00:25state election, citing the betrayal of several GRS leaders who left Persatu in November 2022
00:31following the 15th general election.
00:34Bilcher said GRS Chairman and Sabah Chief Minister Haji J. Noor's long-held stance that Sabah
00:39must be led by state-based parties reflects strong grassroots sentiment for local autonomy.
00:46He added that PASA's reputation in East Malaysia was another major hurdle as the party's extreme
00:52religious rhetoric and goal of turning Malaysia into an Islamic state had alienated many voters
00:57in Sabah and Sarawak.
01:00Another analyst, Ramli Dola, said PN's status as the opposition bloc at the federal level
01:05was another stumbling bloc in any potential alliance with GRS.
01:10He added that a GRS-PN partnership could jeopardize its current working relationship with Pakatan
01:15Harupon at the federal level.
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