GRS's ‘panic' accusation reveals its own political desperation - Rosman

Borneo Post

6 days ago

Rosman
KOTA KINABALU (July 29): Claims that Barisan Nasional (BN) Sabah is in panic mode are merely attempts by Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) supporters to mask their own fear of being sidelined, said Umno Sabah Strategic Director Datu Rosman Datu Ahir Zaman.
Rosman hit back at GRS supporters who had accused BN Sabah of being 'panicked' over the recent GRS-PH cooperation, describing such remarks as a reflection of GRS's own insecurities.
'When GRS supporters start accusing BN Sabah of being panicked, they are actually revealing their own fear — that this cooperation will expose the truth that GRS is no longer an independent coalition, but merely a puppet in the central government's political game,' he said in a statement on Tuesday.
He likened GRS's situation to the Malay proverb 'ayam terlepas, tangan berbau tahi' (the chicken escapes, but the hand still smells), suggesting that GRS's ambition to emerge as a new political force has backfired.
'They wanted to position themselves as a new power bloc, but have ended up stained by their own desperate bid to cling to power without principles,' Rosman added.
He said coalitions formed out of fear of losing power are not strategic alliances but signs of desperation.
'From a political science standpoint, a coalition built on fear — what we call electoral desperation — is not a strategy, but a panic move,' he stressed.
Rosman also dismissed claims that Sabah BN leaders such as Datuk Seri Panglima Bung Moktar Radin were reacting out of fear.
'Bung Moktar's remarks are not signs of fear, but a courageous stand that Umno Sabah will not bow to politics that sacrifice core principles,' he said.
He added that while GRS once championed slogans like 'Rumah Kita, Kita Jaga' (Our House, We Protect), the coalition has now strayed from its original message and is drifting under federal manipulation.
'GRS is being swept along by central political currents under the guise of stability, but in reality, it's all about preserving positions and power,' he said.
Addressing allegations linked to Bung Moktar's court case, Rosman said legal proceedings should not be used to silence political voices.
'As long as there is no conviction, the principle of justice gives Bung the right to speak. Trial by media cannot be used to distract from GRS's policy failures and weak governance,' he said.
Rosman also defended Libaran MP and Sabah Umno information chief Datuk Suhaimi Nasir, saying his recent statement was not a panic response but a 'call to restore Sabah's political idealism.'
'BN Sabah is not afraid of working with any party. What we are concerned about is the negative impact on the state's future, especially when governments are formed without a clear mandate and are driven solely by elite interests,' he said.
He questioned the transparency of the GRS-PH collaboration, asking why it was not carried out inclusively.
'If this cooperation was truly for the people, why was it not done through open consultation? Why the rushed announcement without clear direction?' Rosman asked.
'When BN Sabah criticizes, it is not because we fear being left behind, but because we do not want Sabah to continue being trapped in failed political experiments.
'Harimau mati meninggalkan belang, manusia mati meninggalkan nama (A tiger dies leaving its stripes, a person dies leaving his name) — but a leader who abandons principles dies long before his time in the hearts of the people,' he said.