Latest news with #GabunganRakyatSabah
Free Malaysia Today
3 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Bung as ‘poster boy' unwise with graft case proceeding, says analyst
BN's Bung Moktar Radin and GRS's Hajiji Noor are the two leading candidates for the post of chief minister if a BN-PH-GRS alliance materialises. PETALING JAYA : It would be unwise for the Barisan Nasional-Pakatan Harapan alliance to name Bung Moktar Radin as their 'poster boy' for the coming state polls with a corruption case still hanging over the state BN chief's head, says an analyst. Universiti Sains Malaysia's Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid said BN-PH cannot afford to put Bung forward as the candidate for chief minister as his court case makes him a 'liability'. Last week, Bung and his wife, Zizie Izette Abdul Samad, failed in their application for a review of a Court of Appeal ruling ordering that they enter their defence on graft and abetment charges over a RM150 million Felcra investment. Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid. Fauzi said BN-PH needs to be led by a person whom the public perceives as free from corruption, and one whose reputation goes beyond ethnic and religious lines. He suggested that Gabungan Rakyat Sabah chairman Hajiji Noor is best suited for the role if BN-PH can seal an electoral pact with the state-based coalition. 'He's acceptable to PH and, while a compromise, is a figure who's able to soothe tensions between the two Umno camps led by Bung and (Sabah Umno deputy chief) Abdul Rahman Dahlan,' he told FMT. 'They need a figure whose reputation transcends Sabahans of all ethno-religious persuasions and can unite Muslim and indigenous non-Muslim communities, especially. ' Some within Sabah Umno are touting the name of Salleh Said Keruak, a former chief minister, again.' That said, Fauzi acknowledged the strength of Bung's relations with Sabahans on the ground, especially rural voters. He said this may outweigh the liability brought on by his corruption case. Bung and his wife were ordered to enter their defence last November in connection with the receipt of RM2.8 million in bribes to secure Felcra's approval to invest RM150 million in Public Mutual unit trusts. Bung was non-executive chairman of Felcra at the time the alleged offences were committed. The couple is scheduled to begin their defence to the charges in the Kuala Lumpur sessions court on Aug 18. Earlier this month, Sabah Umno proposed that Bung be made BN's poster boy for the polls. BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, however, dismissed the proposal saying it was not the right time to determine the candidate. Awang Azman Pawi. Universiti Malaya's Awang Azman Pawi said BN-PH should put to rest all talk about whose image should adorn its campaign paraphernalia. 'It's pointless to endlessly debate about the chief ministerial candidate only to end up losing the polls. Their focus should be on winning as many seats as they can,' he said. Nonetheless, Awang Azman said it would be unfair to consider Bung as unsuitable for the honour since he has yet to be convicted by the court. 'Bung's strength lies in the grassroots. He is among the handful of Sabah Umno leaders who still command their own influence, especially in rural areas and among the party's machinery. 'Sabahans also largely aren't influenced by perceptions from mainstream media or social media. Sabah politics is very local in nature, heavily dependent on personal relations, field work and long-established grassroots support, which Bung has.'
Daily Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Express
Co-operation with Pakatan Harapan to continue: Hajiji
Published on: Wednesday, May 28, 2025 Published on: Wed, May 28, 2025 Text Size: Hajiji cutting the ribbon to mark the official launch of ferry service and jetty. Kota Kinabalu: Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) wants to maintain cooperation with Pakatan Harapan (PH), the current state government coalition, said its chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. The Chief Minister said that the cooperation will be a foundation for determining political alliances for the upcoming 17th State Election. He said the matter had been conveyed to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and that the outcome of the discussions regarding election cooperation would be announced soon. 'We want to cooperate. We are maintaining the current GRS-PH have conveyed this to the Prime Minister. As for other matters, we will discuss them,' he said after launching the jetty and officiating the resumption of the Kota Kinabalu-Labuan passenger ferry service at Kota Kinabalu Port here. Hajiji was asked to comment on the progress of cooperation talks between GRS and other coalitions and parties ahead of the state election. The Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah president said that no final decision had been made regarding the state polls as the Sabah State Legislative Assembly has yet to dissolve. 'It is not election time yet. The State Legislative Assembly has not been dissolved. Just be patient and wait; you will be informed in due course,' he added. Advertisement Meanwhile, Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star Sabah) President Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan indicated his party's intention to contest 15 seats, more than double their previous attempt. In the 2020 state election, Star contested eight seats and won six seats, namely Bingkor, Tambunan, Paginatan, Liawan, Tulid, and Sook. Jeffrey said the figure was an aspiration as formal discussions among coalition partners have yet to begin. 'That is normal in politics , if possible, every political party wants to contest all 73 seats. There is nothing wrong with each party expressing their aspirations,' Jeffrey said. Parties like PKR and DAP have already announced intentions to contest 13 and 10 seats, respectively, while Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah vice president Datuk Masiung Banah hinted that Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) may contest at least 52 seats. 'These seats do not depend solely on one party. We are discussing with PBS and we are also discussing within GRS. We need to resolve these issues before we discuss with parties outside,' he said. * 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
Barnama
4 days ago
- Politics
- Barnama
GRS Wants To Maintain Cooperation With PH
KOTA KINABALU, May 27 (Bernama) -- Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) wants to maintain cooperation with Pakatan Harapan (PH), the current state government coalition, said its chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. The Sabah Chief Minister said that the cooperation will be a foundation for determining political alliances for the upcoming 17th State Election. He said the matter had been conveyed to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and that the outcome of the discussions regarding election cooperation would be announced soon. bootstrap slideshow "We want to cooperate. We are maintaining the current GRS-PH government…we have conveyed this to the Prime Minister. As for other matters, we will discuss them," he told reporters today after launching the jetty and officiating the resumption of the Kota Kinabalu-Labuan passenger ferry service at Kota Kinabalu Port here. Hajiji was asked to comment on the progress of cooperation talks between GRS and other coalitions and parties ahead of the state election. The Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah president said that no final decision had been made regarding the state polls as the Sabah State Legislative Assembly has yet to dissolve. bootstrap slideshow "It is not election time yet. The State Legislative Assembly has not been dissolved. Just be patient and wait; you will be informed in due course," he added. -- BERNAMA
Free Malaysia Today
5 days ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
We must maintain existing GRS-PH alliance in polls, says Hajiji
Sabah chief minister Hajiji Noor (centre) with PH assemblymen in November 2022. PETALING JAYA : Sabah chief minister Hajiji Noor has reiterated his desire to continue the existing alliance between his Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition and Pakatan Harapan (PH) for the upcoming state election. Hajiji, who is GRS chairman, said the existing cooperation between GRS and PH in governing the state should be the foundation in determining any electoral pact, Berita Harian reported. He added that he had conveyed his views to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who is also PH chairman, when they met recently. 'We want the cooperation between GRS and PH to be defended. That's our fundamental (stand) and we have conveyed this to the prime minister. 'For the other (parties), we will discuss,' he was quoted as saying. Hajiji said an official announcement on GRS's choice of allies will be made when the time comes. He added that there has not been any discussion on dissolving the Sabah legislative assembly to pave the way for the state polls. 'Just be patient, we will inform you.' Previously, Hajiji repeatedly stated GRS's intention to work with PH in the upcoming state election, which must be held by the end of the year at the latest. However, earlier this month, the unity government secretariat announced that BN and PH had agreed to work together to face the state polls, following a meeting between their chairmen, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Anwar. Hajiji then threatened that GRS would go solo, but Anwar later stepped in and called for PH-BN to work with the state coalition.
Daily Express
6 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Express
Joachim: GRS open to cooperation as long as majority stable
Published on: Monday, May 26, 2025 Published on: Mon, May 26, 2025 By: Noor Zafira Zayn Text Size: Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) is open to working with other parties as long as it maintains a stable majority, said Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) acting president Datuk Dr. Joachim Gunsalam. 'As long as GRS has a stable majority, we have no issue with collaborating with others as long as GRS leads the direction,' he told reporters today. Joachim, who is also GRS Deputy Chairman, said the coalition remains open to discussions but has yet to engage with any parties from Peninsular Malaysia. On the upcoming Sabah state election, he said GRS welcomes healthy competition but is focused on winning as a coalition. His remarks come after PKR's Nurul Izzah Anwar said her party aims to contest 13 seats in the 17th Sabah State Election while Bersatu's Datuk Seri Azmin Ali confirmed ongoing efforts to identify winnable seats and build alliances in the state. * 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
