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The Star
17 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
War of words between GRS, Sabah BN hots up with allegations of betrayal, broken promises
KOTA KINABALU: The war of words between one-time partners Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and Barisan Nasional heats up over accusations of broken promises, disloyalty and betrayal. It started when Sabah Umno chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, on Tuesday (June 3), reiterated his unwillingness to work with GRS due to a "dark and bitter" history. He said Barisan must be extra cautious and assess GRS' sincerity before even considering working with them in the 17th state election (PRN), which can be called anytime soon. 'There's an old saying: don't get bitten by the same snake twice,' he said. However, he did not dismiss the possibility of both coalitions working together post election, but stressed that this matter can only be evaluated after the polls. His statement comes after Kota Kinabalu Umno chief Mosliati Muslimin said there was no longer room for political cooperation with GRS or Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (PGRS) after "betrayals and broken promises". She claimed these betrayals started even during the 2020 state election in the form of vote-splitting tactics where independent candidates were placed in seats meant for BN candidates. She also said that Bung and Barisan had made compromises along the way, which allowed GRS to head the current state government. GRS information chief Datuk Joniston Bangkuai hit back at Bung, calling his latest remarks arrogant and disconnected from Sabah's political reality. He said Bung was the last person who should talk about loyalty or sincerity as Bung had tried to bring down the very government he was part of, just to serve his own ambition. He dismissed Bung's claim that GRS had betrayed Barisan, describing it as a clear attempt to twist the narrative and deflect from his own actions. 'It is Bung who conspired with Warisan and PKDM in January 2023 to topple the government led by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor,' said Bangkuai. 'He wasn't betrayed, he was the one betraying. Even while sitting in the state Cabinet, he had no respect for his colleagues in the state government led by Hajiji as Chief Minister,' he said. He stressed that GRS has never been reliant on Umno and was fully prepared to face the upcoming state election independently while warning Bung to stop his arrogance by insinuating that GRS hard up enough to work with Umno-BN. Bangkuai also pointed out that during the political crisis, several Umno assemblymen refused to support Bung's move and instead threw their support for Hajiji, alongside Pakatan Harapan. 'If anyone needs to reflect, it's Bung. Why did even your own colleagues abandon your 'Langkah Kinabalu'? Why did PH support Hajiji, not you? The answer is obvious because the trust wasn't with you,' he said. Joniston, who is also PBS information chief, reiterated that his party would never forget the insult hurled by Bung when he once labelled PBS as "melukut di tepi gantang" (a party that is powerless and useless). 'You showed no respect for PBS or your allies, and now you expect cooperation? Don't be surprised if Sabahans continue to reject Umno like they did in other states across the Peninsula. 'Sabah isn't your political lifeline. Don't treat this state as your fallback plan,' he said, stressing that GRS is now focused on what mattered - unity, stability, and delivering for the people. Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) information chief Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan also fired back at Barisan, bringing up the 2020 state elections where Barisan allegedly had agreed to only contest in 27 seats, but fielded 41 candidates on nomination day. 'Barisan must remember they are no longer the 'big boys' in politics. Nationally, their influence has dwindled,' he said. He said for GRS and Gagasan Rakyat, the focus now was to work for the people and state as they prepare for the coming state elections. Libaran assemblyman Datuk Suhaimi Nasir, who is also Libaran Umno chief, meanwhile, reminded Bangkuai how his political career started - during Barisan's era. He said Bangkuai and PBS should not talk about loyalty when history clearly showed otherwise. 'PBS left Barisan a day before the 1990 election and returned to Barisan in 2002, before leaving again in 2018 after Barisan lost in the state election,' he said, adding that PBS were opportunists, seeking a safe space instead of fighting for principles and rights. 'Today you say that you reject Barisan-Umno based on principles, but in the past, you stood in the front line to welcome Barisan when they won elections,' Suhaimi said. He also advised Bangkuai and his party members to not take "loyalty" as a joke because if they were loyalists, they would not have left and returned repeatedly over the years.
The Star
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
BN at 51: Zahid hails spirit of democracy, unity across generations
KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional (BN) continues to uphold deep-rooted principles of democracy, champion inclusive development and nurture national unity that grows stronger across generations, its chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said. He said for over half a century, Barisan has been a political platform that embraces diversity, bridges divides and unites Malaysians under a common vision of a peaceful, prosperous and resilient nation. "Alhamdulillah, today marks the 51st anniversary of Barisan Nasional - a political institution that has weathered the tides of history and remains steadfast as a pillar in the nation-building journey of Malaysia. "In the face of changing times, as global currents shift and political winds change direction, Barisan Nasional stands firm and unwavering,' Zahid said in a Facebook post on Sunday (June 1). The Deputy Prime Minister also expressed appreciation to all Barisan members, party machinery, leaders at every level and loyal supporters who have stood by the coalition through both triumphs and trials. "Your loyalty is our strength. Your spirit breathes life into this struggle. "May this 51st anniversary serve as a moment of reflection, inspiration and renewed determination as we forge ahead to shape a more meaningful chapter in our shared history. May this struggle be blessed and guided by divine wisdom. Long live Barisan Nasional!' he said. - Bernama
The Star
26-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Higher Education Ministry: No objection to Sarawak's free higher education initiative
PUTRAJAYA: The Higher Education Ministry has no objections to Sarawak's initiative to offer free tertiary education, said Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir. He said this was because the state has the financial means and administrative capability to do so. 'Therefore, no party should make any other impression on the steps taken by the Sarawak state government. 'In the context of the federal government, we always cooperate with any state in our efforts to further improve the quality of education, whether at the primary or higher education level,' he said after launching the 'Karisma: Aspiring Madani Leaders; The 3H Leadership Module' during the 2025 Karisma programme for Madani young leaders on Monday (May 26). Meanwhile, on the Sabah state elections, Zambry said seat negotiations are not confined to the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition, as Barisan Nasional (BN) is open to broader cooperation involving various parties. Zambry, who is also Barisan's secretary-general, said discussions — both direct and indirect — have already begun, involving multiple political stakeholders in Sabah. 'We are not limiting negotiations only to Pakatan. As the Barisan chairman (Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi) mentioned, our steps include working with others as well — Barisan, Pakatan, and the 'plus-plus' group, which includes parties from Sabah,' he said. Zambry was responding to Ahmad Zahid's statement on Sunday (May 25) in which he said that the coalition is open to negotiations with any component party within the unity government regarding seat allocations for the upcoming Sabah state election. He also said that Barisan was committed to building a stronger political consensus in Sabah, taking into account the voices and strengths of component parties and strategic partners at the state level. 'Even within Barisan and Pakatan, we have Sabah-based parties. So we recognise the importance of local support and do not want these negotiations to appear focused only on two coalitions,' he added. He said that the negotiation process would continue progressively, taking into account the interests of the people of Sabah and the current political landscape in the state. 'The process is ongoing, and we are open to all forms of negotiations and proposals that can lead to the best possible consensus,' he said.
The Star
20-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Sabah political leaders urged to avoid fuelling sentiments
KOTA KINABALU: Political leaders should not fuel deep-seated sentiments under the guise of reform as it may harm the people, says Sabah Umno chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin ( pic ). He said that unity among Sabah leaders is welcome, provided it is based on clear policies, historical awareness, and administrative stability. "Political reform in Sabah should not sow seeds of hatred, because in the end, it is the people who bear the consequences, not the politicians," he said. Bung Moktar said that Sabah's political stability and development began only after Barisan Nasional took over in 1994, following years of local party disputes from 1963 to 1994. "Despite the state's rich resources, it lacked structured development plans due to constant government changes. Rural areas were neglected, infrastructure remained poor and poverty increased," he said. He added that under Barisan's 24-year administration, Sabah saw the construction of universities, hospitals, roads and the Pan Borneo Highway, thanks to federal-state cooperation and a stable system. While Sabah Umno supports fair power-sharing, party reform and leadership integrity, Bung Moktar said it is crucial to stay grounded in facts and avoid past mistakes. "Politics is not about sentiment and emotion. It must be managed with wisdom. It is difficult for a state government to progress if its relationship with the federal government remains strained," he said. Bung Moktar reiterated Sabah Umno's commitment to strengthening political stability, upholding Sabah's rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), and ensuring fair treatment within the Federation of Malaysia.
The Star
19-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Don't get too comfortable with your mandate in Melaka, Bersatu Youth tells Akmal
PETALING JAYA: Melaka needs leaders who solve the people's problems instead of squabbling, says Bersatu Youth. Its information chief Harris Idaham Rashid said there was dissatisfaction on the ground with the recent back-and-forth between Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan over seat sharing in next year's state election. He also advised Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh not to "get too comfortable" with the mandate the party received in the 2021 state polls, as the political landscape had changed. "The people want leaders who don't just criticise and fight among themselves, but who find solutions to the problems faced by the public," he said in a statement on Monday (May 19). He said support for Perikatan Nasional had surged in the state, as seen in the GE15 results in 2022 when the coalition won in Umno strongholds like Jasin, where Dr Akmal is division chief. In 2021, Barisan secured a two-thirds majority in the state assembly, winning 21 out of 28 seats. Pakatan won five and Perikatan, two. In GE15, however, Barisan lost in every parliamentary seat it contested in Melaka. Pakatan won three of the six seats, with Perikatan taking the remaining three. Earlier this month, nine DAP branches in the state proposed a 14-14 seat sharing formula between Barisan and Pakatan in the next Melaka election. Akmal had reportedly rejected the idea outright, telling his unity government colleagues to "dream on". Last week, Barisan chairman and Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said seat discussions should be left to the top leadership and besides, the Melaka polls are only due next year.
