At GRS’s convention on Oct 18, chairman Hajiji Noor urged component parties to put Sabah’s interests ahead of their own to strengthen the state’s bargaining power with Putrajaya.PETALING JAYA: An analyst has urged Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) to work out a "win-win" formula among its component parties ahead of the 16th general election (GE16) or risk weakening Sabah’s voice at the federal level.

Arvin Tajari of Universiti Teknologi Mara said negotiations were important so that each party could pursue its interests without undermining cohesion in the coalition.

Arvin Tajari."Maintaining this unity and cohesion is important to ensure that the voice carried is one, not seen as divided and lopsided," he told FMT.