Sabah Umno rejects 'panic pact', vows to go solo
KOTA KINABALU (Aug 5): Sabah Umno has declared it will not be used as a tool in any politically motivated 'panic pact,' asserting its readiness to contest the upcoming state election independently.
State Umno chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin reiterated his refusal to collaborate with coalitions he deemed dishonest, insincere and prone to betrayal.
'An electoral pact must be built on sincerity and integrity, not just seat-sharing and candidate selection,' he said on Tuesday.
Bung Moktar welcomed a recent statement by Kuamut assemblyman Datuk Masiung Banah, who ruled out an alliance involving Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), Sabah Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN).
'Ironically, this comes from a so-called 'frog' and opportunist, but it confirms such pacts are driven by fear of losing, not shared principles,' he remarked.
He also denied allegations that Sabah BN's withdrawal of support for the GRS government in January 2023 was an act of betrayal.
'It was a response to their greed for power. GRS leaders should remember they formed the government without a clear mandate,' he said.
Bung Moktar dismissed last-minute alliances aimed solely at avoiding seat clashes as 'beautifully disguised panic pacts' meant to mask weaknesses.
'Barisan will not be part of any arrangement lacking genuine unity,' he stressed.
Masiung who is the Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah vice president, has rejected Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's proposal for BN to form a tripartite alliance with GRS and PH ahead of the 17th State Election.
He said that if a three-party alliance were to take shape, Gagasan Rakyat would stand by Anwar's earlier statement made in Tawau on May 11, where the Prime Minister expressed support for Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor to lead the seat negotiation process.
During a special meeting with Sabah Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) leaders in Kota Kinabalu on Sunday, Anwar had expressed his intention to mediate negotiations between GRS, BN and PH to avoid three-cornered contests in the upcoming state election.
However, Masiung firmly dismissed the idea, describing it as a political 'love triangle' that Gagasan Rakyat — the backbone of GRS — would not support.
Umno Sabah Strategic Director Datu Rosman Datu Ahir Zaman also welcomed Masiung's rejection of the proposed tripartite cooperation between GRS, PH, and BN.
Rosman acknowledged that while Masiung is known for party-hopping, his recent remarks raised a valid point about the alliance's lack of a shared foundation.
'Although the statement came from a political opportunist, this time he has touched on a truth — that the coalition is not grounded in a shared struggle, but rather in fear,' Rosman said in a statement on Tuesday.
He said the move dubbed 'Langkah Kinabalu' should not be seen as betrayal, but rather a reaction to a lack of transparency and quiet power consolidation by GRS.
'If GRS leaders are accusing BN of betrayal, they should reflect on how they formed the government — not by embracing the people's mandate, but by sidelining it,' he said.
Rosman pointed out the irony of GRS questioning BN's integrity when Masiung himself has a history of switching allegiances. Nonetheless, he reaffirmed that BN Sabah would not be part of any coalition lacking common values and principles.
'Politics is not merely about candidates and seat distribution. It is about integrity, sincerity and shared values,' he said, adding that any pact made merely to avoid electoral clashes would not constitute true cooperation.
He said BN Sabah will contest the coming election with dignity and strong grassroots support, not as a dependent faction.
'We are not a fragile branch, we are a party with deep roots,' Rosman said.
He also echoed Bung Moktar's earlier stance — rejecting cooperation with dishonest or insincere partners.
'In politics, being betrayed once is an experience. But if it happens again, that's on us. If you know it is a snake, would you let it bite you twice?' he asked.
Rosman said if Masiung is sincere this time about political principles, BN Sabah is open to his statement — but warned against another reversal.
'Let us not see a situation where he agrees today and jumps again tomorrow. That would not be political strategy — that is a political illness,' he said.
'Umno Sabah will not be a tool for any coalition driven by panic. We are the heartbeat of Sabah's political struggle,' Rosman added.
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