KOTA KINABALU: The Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition is expected to finalise its candidate list for the 17th State Election by next April.
GRS Youth chief Datuk Jonnybone J. Kurum said a committee has been set up to refine the candidate selection process across all 73 State Legislative Assembly seats.
He said that the committee will begin its work in January to identify suitable and promising candidates to secure victory for GRS.
"We already have a committee formed for candidate selection. Recently, we held a GRS high-level meeting, and the committee was assigned to oversee this matter, refining our candidates for all 73 seats.
"By late January, the committee will begin its operations, and we aim to finalise the list by April next year," he said when speaking to reporters after the GRS Youth launch ceremony here yesterday.
The ceremony was officiated by GRS deputy chairman and Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan.
Jonnybone, who is also the Telupid assemblyman, added that the candidate selection process would involve all levels of the party, including the youth wing.
The state election will see eight local parties, which form the GRS coalition, contesting under the unified GRS logo.
Meanwhile, responding to calls from opposition parties to expedite the state election, Jonnybone said that it was not feasible, as the government prioritised implementing the Sabah 2025 Budget first.
"We want to spend the recently approved budget in the State Assembly first — our people are waiting. If we change the government again, the budget might change as well, and that would complicate matters.
"So, let's finish this State Assembly term before dissolving it. Be patient.
"What's most important is that the budget, which was approved jointly with the opposition, must be utilised for the people," he said.
He said that the people should not be dragged into certain parties' agendas to replace the current GRS–Pakatan Harapan (PH) Plus-led state government.