Razali (right) and GRS’ Batu Sapi MP Datuk Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan shares a light moment with Sabar (left).
KOTA KINABALU (Nov 19): A wave of new support for Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) emerged last night as 300 members of Parti Warisan (Warisan) from Sepanggar announced their resignation from the party to join GRS component Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) in the Darau division.
The announcement was made during a community engagement event at Kampung Kalansanan, attended by GRS candidate for the Darau state constituency, Datuk Mohamed Razali Razi @ Bob, ahead of the 17th Sabah State Election.
The group was led by Sabar Dasad, a former committee member of Warisan Sepanggar, who said the decision followed a loss of confidence in Warisan’s leadership in the area.
Speaking to the media, Razali said: “Sabar has been with Warisan for nine years. You can see his sincerity in his body language and expressions. This was not an easy decision, but it comes from the awareness that change is needed for the community.”
He added that the move reflects a shift in public sentiment, with people seeking effective and development-oriented leadership.
“Sabar has witnessed the work done by GRS. He believes this party is the best driver to bring change and development to Darau,” Razali said, dismissing social media claims that GRS is a failed government.
“The ones who fail are those who only talk. We work, we deliver. The difference between us and them is action, not rhetoric,” he stressed.
Razali also indicated that more party members are expected to join GRS in the near future.
“There are more… but it cannot be shared now. Political strategy. Just tonight, there are already an additional 200 to 300 people,” he said.
Razali highlighted key elements of his manifesto for Darau, focusing on healthcare and grassroots governance.
He announced plans for a major land swap to relocate the Likas Health Clinic to a larger and more suitable site.
“We are planning a land swap in Kampung Likas for the Likas Health Clinic. The clinic will be moved to a larger site, this falls under the wellbeing agenda,” he said.
The move, Razali explained, would allow the construction of a modern, spacious and higher-capacity healthcare facility to benefit residents in Likas, Darau and surrounding areas.
In addition to healthcare, Razali outlined plans to establish a Village Management and Development Council.
The council would include village heads, village security and development committees, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), community activists and youth representatives to ensure that development decisions are coordinated, transparent and based on actual community needs.
“I will personally chair this council. It is direct communication between the elected representative and the people, no more old methods,” he said.
The council would meet regularly to plan projects, coordinate development efforts and resolve local issues efficiently.
Razali also emphasised youth development, proposing youth centres in every village and expanding entrepreneurship programmes to provide greater economic opportunities for young people.
“We will introduce more entrepreneurship programmes for the youth. Young people today need avenues to survive and grow. We must be there with them. The government already provides various forms of assistance, but these must be channelled through a system we intend to implement,” he said.