Sabah Umno: Hajiji must reassess ministers linked to graft scandal
Sabah Umno today called on Chief Minister Hajiji Noor to consider re-evaluating state ministers who are implicated in the mining licence corruption scandal.
In a statement today, Sabah Umno strategic communications director Datu Rosman Datu Ahir Zaman said that Hajiji is facing an 'uncertainty crisis' in his administration, while Sabahans are experiencing a 'confidence crisis' and are doubting the state government's credibility.
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Borneo Post
6 hours ago
- Borneo Post
‘Sabah for Sabahans': State polls will test strength of local-first sentiment, say analysts
Sabah-based parties, including GRS and Warisan, are stepping up their push for greater autonomy, emphasising their grassroots focus ahead of the state's increasingly competitive election. — Bernama photo KOTA KINABALU (June 13): As Sabah heads into its 17th state election (PRN17), political tensions are mounting, with signs pointing toward a contest that may pit state-based parties against the country's major national coalitions. The rallying cry 'Sabah for Sabahans' is gaining renewed momentum as Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) — the ruling state coalition — weighs its next move amid shifting alliances and growing questions about federal influence in state affairs. Sabahan-first politics In recent years, Sabah-based parties — including GRS components Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) and Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), as well as opposition party Warisan — have increasingly positioned themselves as defenders of state rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63). GRS's key component party Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah is largely made up of Umno-turned-Bersatu leaders who left their former party for a more local platform. They argue that only homegrown parties truly understand the state's needs and aspirations — and are best placed to stand firm against federal dominance. Universiti Teknologi Mara's Tony Paridi Bagang said a contest between state-based and national parties would offer a clear campaign narrative — state rights versus federal funding and stability. 'GRS going solo will be interesting; it's a test of GRS as a government, and as a fully local alliance, and at the same time will see how local parties in national coalitions, like PBRS and Upko, what their influence will be like now,' he said. 'It's still a good way to see whether the growing local sentiments can translate into votes. 'Just contesting on their own is the start of a change in narrative for Sabah politics and if they win, it will be even more meaningful — they will gain a lot more leverage and have better bargaining power,' he added. Political analyst Bridget Welsh agreed that this local-first approach has merit, as the political current appears to favour a 'Sabah bloc' — though much will still depend on how alliances are configured. 'Anti-federal (especially anti-Umno) sentiments are currently strong,' she said. Coalition talks in limbo The local-first sentiment has also been further fuelled by Sarawak's recent success in securing greater control over its oil and gas resources. Many Sabahans have been asking: 'If Sarawak can do it, why not us?' Despite strong calls from within GRS's component parties to contest the election independently, Chief Minister and GRS chairman Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor initially indicated keenness to continuing cooperation with current state government partner Sabah Pakatan Harapan (PH). However, his position was shaken when Sabah PH announced an election partnership with Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) — its former allies turned opposition. The two national coalitions described the move as a rational step to ensure political stability and preserve good relations between state and federal governments. In response, Hajiji swiftly issued a statement saying GRS was ready to contest the election on its own if Sabah PH proceeded with the alliance. Prime Minister and PH chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim later responded by saying that GRS would be included in the election coalition. Since then, Hajiji has maintained that GRS remains open to discussions — but has stressed that a Sabah-based party must lead the state government. No formal talks have taken place between the two sides. One of the biggest obstacles in the way of this three-way alliance is Sabah BN chairman Datuk Bung Moktar Radin, who has dismissed any possibility of working with GRS until after the election, citing past 'betrayals' and broken promises from the previous state election. Autonomy push may meet resistance Bagang said there could be risks if GRS chooses to go it alone, as the coalition may come under increased pressure. He noted that if GRS were to contest on its own, it might face heightened political pressure — including 'money politics' as well as the influence of 'media and political machinery'. He added that the recent whistleblowing scandal involving mining licences is likely to resurface and affect GRS and its leadership. The Madani factor Contrary to the view that GRS may go it alone, Universiti Malaysia Sabah senior lecturer Lee Kuok Tiung said that GRS is more likely to work with PH and BN — despite its strained relationship with the latter. 'I believe GRS will want to maintain its current set-up with PH. The only problem is that they don't get along with BN but they will find a way or just head into a collision course in certain seats,' he said. 'GRS will have a lot to gain by contesting independently but the prime minister has something else in mind. 'He also has to maintain good relations with Zahid and both will still need a local partner at the end of the day and want to work with GRS,' he added. Bagang agreed that while many Sabahans were keen to see if the local-first sentiment was more than just a slogan, he said it would be 'safer' if the current dynamic is maintained. 'We need to consider the federal factor because our political dynamic is not like Sarawak, whose local coalition is strongly established,' he said. 'I think, with the undercurrent issues, sentiments, GRS may still stick with PH-BN but we'll see some overlapping in their seats,' he added. With the growing fragmentation among parties potentially leading to multi-cornered fights in many seats, split votes may give unexpected advantages to some blocs. Analysts predict that this could result in a hung assembly — or even a repeat of the chaotic post-election realignments that followed the 2020 polls. If the election becomes a contest between local versus national parties, the outcome could reshape Sabah's political landscape and redefine its federal-state relations. With the stakes so high, all eyes are now on the alliances, manifestos, and the voters' sentiments. — Malay Mail GRS hajiji noor lead Sabah for Sabahans
Free Malaysia Today
6 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
No such thing as friendly contest in Sabah, says activist
The relationship between GRS chairman Hajiji Noor and Sabah Umno chief Bung Moktar Radin has broken down completely, making a GRS-BN collaboration 'virtually impossible', an analyst said. PETALING JAYA : A Sabah activist has dismissed a call by former chief minister Salleh Said Keruak for parties contesting the upcoming state election to make allowance for 'friendly' fights in certain seats. 'When it comes to an election there is no such thing as a friendly contest, as everyone wants to win,' Johan Ariffin Samad told FMT. He also said such an arrangement was unlikely due to the state's 'complicated political dynamics'. The Sabah government is presently led by Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), with Barisan Nasional (BN) sitting in the opposition bloc following a fallout between the two coalitions at the beginning of 2023. Despite this, GRS and BN remain partners in the unity government at the federal level, together with Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Gabungan Parti Sarawak. Johan, however, did not discount the possibility of the two coalitions working together again after the polls. 'As the saying goes, nothing in politics is permanent,' he said. On Tuesday, Salleh, the Sabah Umno treasurer, called for GRS and BN to work together for the polls. Acknowledging that there would be overlapping claims to particular constituencies, he suggested a 'planned, respectful arrangement' that would allow both coalitions to field candidates in certain seats. Salleh said the understanding between collaborating coalitions must be that, 'whoever wins, the seat remains part of the coalition'. He said such an arrangement would avoid friction and lessen the risk of proxy independent candidates emerging to contest the polls. An analyst who asked to remain anonymous, agreed with Johan, saying the arrangement was 'unworkable'. 'Salleh is clearly seeking a compromise but his proposal only papers over the deep cracks in the relationship between GRS and BN,' he said. The analyst said the relationship between GRS chairman Hajiji Noor and Sabah Umno chief Bung Moktar Radin had 'broken down completely', making any prospect of collaboration between GRS and BN 'virtually impossible'. On Tuesday, GRS secretary-general Masidi Manjun was reported by Borneo Post as saying that the coalition was likely to team up with PH, but reluctant to work with BN for the 17th state election due by December this year. Bilcher Bala of Universiti Malaysia Sabah felt Salleh's idea was not impossible to put into practice, although it could be challenging. Sabah, he said, has a multitude of political parties, each with its own interests and voter base. Managing friendly contests would require careful planning and mutual respect, he said. The success of such arrangements depends heavily on political maturity and the ability of the coalitions to balance competition with cooperation, said Bilcher. 'Sabah's political landscape is more fragmented, and the concept of friendly fights might face more challenges due to the higher number of parties and the complexity of local politics. 'It requires a high level of trust and cooperation among the parties involved, which can be difficult to achieve but not impossible with the right approach.' Bilcher's colleague, Lee Kuok Tiung, said a friendly contest would help maintain harmony among the allies. 'This strategy helps to minimise 'internal bleeding' and reduces the risk of sabotage from within, particularly by members who are unable to secure candidacies.'
Daily Express
6 hours ago
- Daily Express
Why Sabah Umno cautious
Published on: Friday, June 13, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jun 13, 2025 By: Malay Mail Text Size: 'During the last state election, certain political collaborations led to unfavourable consequences for BN, particularly in terms of integrity, trust and a shared political direction,' Suhaimi said. - The Borneo Post pic Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Umno has clarified that Barisan Nasional's (BN) current political stance should not be interpreted as a complete rejection of cooperation with other parties, but rather a cautious approach shaped by past experiences. In a statement released by Sabah Umno information chief Datuk Suhaimi Nasir, the party reiterated that BN is not closing its doors to political collaboration. Advertisement However, any decision to form a coalition must be rooted in the people's interests, the need for state stability and lessons drawn from past political developments, especially those surrounding the 16th state election (PRN16). The statement comes in response to Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) secretary-general Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun's statement recently, saying the coalition shares the same sentiment regarding Sabah BN's reluctance to team up in PRN17. However, Masidi said they have not made a firm decision on the matter until the Supreme Council meeting, which is expected to take place either this month or early July. 'During the last state election, certain political collaborations led to unfavourable consequences for BN, particularly in terms of integrity, trust and a shared political direction,' Suhaimi said. 'This is not merely about ideological differences, but also about political sincerity and consistency in leadership,' he added. He emphasised that Sabah Umno and BN's current approach is to assess any potential alliance objectively, rationally and strategically, without haste or in response to short-term political demands. 'We will not repeat past mistakes, nor will we allow Sabah Umno to once again be placed in a political position that sidelines the voices of our grassroots members,' Suhaimi added. He also stressed that determining Sabah's future should not be reduced to a numbers game of how many parties can come together at the negotiating table. Instead, it must be about forming a coalition that can ensure long-term stability, integrity and development for the people. Sabah Umno and BN's decision to adopt a more cautious stance, Suhaimi said, is a constructive step, not a confrontational one. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
