USNO Quits GRS - Pandikar Amin

KOTA KINABALU, April 22 (Bernama) -- The United Sabah National Organisation (USNO) officially announced today its withdrawal from Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS).

The matter was confirmed by its president Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia to Bernama, and he simply replied "true" without further comment.

Earlier, he was asked about the validity of a statement titled "Final Farewell: USNO Says Farewell to GRS" which was uploaded on USNO News Facebook page, which claimed that the party had made the decision.

According to the statement, Pandikar Amin also resigned as deputy chairman of GRS, with the decision officially announced during his meeting with GRS chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, who is also the Chief Minister, yesterday.

"The USNO president's decision was also unanimously accepted on April 22 (today) at the USNO Supreme Executive Council (AMET) Meeting to withdraw from the GRS coalition.

"Among the initial justifications for this USNO decision is that there is no longer any compatibility in the aspects of government administration and policy, especially after the 17th Sabah Legislative Assembly Election," according to the statement.

Following the decision, USNO reiterated its stance to remain a political party based on the struggle of the local Sabah indigenous people and is committed to the role of checks and balances on government administration.

The party also pledged to continue to fight for the aspirations of the marginalised people, besides expressing gratitude to Hajiji and all GRS component partners for the togetherness that has been established previously.

With this development, GRS now comprised Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat), Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah (PHRS), Parti Cinta Sabah (PCS), and Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

-- BERNAMA