SANDAKAN – Parti Cinta Sabah (PCS), led by its president Tan Sri Anifah Aman, has officially become a component of Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), making it the eighth party to join the coalition.
GRS secretary-general Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun announced today that all GRS party presidents unanimously agreed to PCS’s official application to join the coalition.
“PCS’s participation as a local party is crucial to enhancing unity in Sabah’s politics. We believe that through close collaboration, we can achieve our shared objective of developing Sabah into a more prosperous and peaceful region.
“With the principle of ‘Sabah first,’ GRS is now stronger and ready to face any obstacles to ensure the well-being and prosperity of Sabah,” Masidi said, adding that GRS hopes for the continued support of the people of Sabah.
PCS was established in 2013, and Anifah became party president in 2020, before the Sabah state election in the same year. Anifah, a former foreign minister, led the party to contest in all 73 seats during the 2020 Sabah election but lost every contest.
Anifah, who is also the younger brother of former Sabah chief minister Tan Sri Musa Aman, currently holds positions as the senator representing Labuan, Special Advisor to the Sabah Chief Minister on international relations, and chairman of the Labuan Corporation.
Meanwhile, Anifah expressed gratitude to GRS chairman and Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor for accepting PCS into the GRS coalition.
“As the saying goes, a family that eats together stays together. On this common table, PCS shares the same vision and mission with GRS for Sabah and its people.
“As a local Sabah party, we naturally see our home in GRS, a truly local entity that Sabahans have long envisioned,” he said.
Anifah added that, despite being relatively new, PCS has grown in strength, wisdom, and maturity.
“Our party leaders and members come from all walks of life, driven by a genuine love for our beloved Sabah, hence the name of our party.
“The wealth of experience, knowledge, and skills they bring to PCS is invaluable as we strive to make a difference in the lives of the people of Sabah, which is also the highest aim of GRS.
“I assure you that PCS will work hard to ensure that GRS continues to strengthen its position as the political power bloc that Sabahans of all ethnicities and beliefs can identify with, a force they can trust and hope for generations to come,” he said.
GRS now consists of eight parties: PCS, Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat), Parti Bersatu Sabah, Sabah Progressive Party, Sabah Star, United Sabah National Organisation, Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah, and the Liberal Democratic Party.
GRS is currently the ruling coalition in Sabah, together with Sabah PH, which is comprised of PKR, DAP, Upko, and Amanah. – May 22, 2024