PAITAN, Oct 24 — Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), which consists of five political parties, is the best platform for the state and its people to voice their aspirations to the federal government, said Bersatu vice-president Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee.

The Agriculture and Food Industries Minister said Sabah required a solid coalition of political parties, like GRS, to fight for matters enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) that had not been realised yet to ensure the state’s development would not be neglected.

"We want huge development funds to be channeled in our area so that with a strong political voice, the things we want can be implemented by the federal government,” he said in a statement here today.

GRS, comprising Bersatu, Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR), Parti Maju Sabah (SAPP) and United Sabah National Organisation (Usno) is working with Barisan Nasional to govern the State.

Ronald said although the federal government had approved some claims by Sabah and Sarawak, there were still some that Sabah would continue to fight for.

On development in the Beluran parliamentary constituency, Ronald, who is the incumbent Beluran MP, said efforts would continue to be made to develop the area, especially in terms of roads, dilapidated schools and water supply.

"That’s why we (GRS) should continue to support the government at the state and federal levels, so that we can realise our aspirations for the next five years,” he said. — Bernama