03-06-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Sabah Umno will not work with GRS for upcoming state polls
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Umno will not cooperate with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) for the 17th state election, its chairman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin said.
He stressed that Sabah Umno will only consider any form of cooperation with GRS after the election.
Bung Moktar claimed that the bitter experience of working with GRS in the past has made Sabah Umno more cautious in forming political alliances, especially with the Sabah-based coalition, in order to avoid being betrayed again.
"Sabah Umno is not refusing to work with GRS, but we have gone through a dark and bitter history with them.
"To consider working together again, we must be cautious and assess their sincerity.
"There's an old saying: don't get bitten by the same snake twice.
"As for any post-election cooperation, Umno will evaluate the matter after the polls," he said when contacted today.
He was commenting on a statement by Kota Kinabalu Umno chief, Mosliati Muslimin, who said there was no longer room for political cooperation with GRS or Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat).
Mosliati, who is also Wanita Umno exco member, had said that such a decision was made as Umno should not be treated as a mere accessory, to be used for political purposes and deceived by false promises from former allies.
She also recalled how Umno's previous cooperation with GRS during the last state polls in September 2020 led to betrayal, despite the party's contribution to the coalition's victory and the formation of the state government.
She had claimed that Bung Moktar was initially promised the Works Ministry portfolio in the state cabinet led by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, but it was unilaterally changed to the Local Government and Housing Ministry without any valid explanation.
Mosliati had said that the Works Ministry portfolio was only returned after pressure was exerted on Hajiji.
Bung Moktar, who is also Sabah Barisan Nasional chairman, had on many occasions made clear his stand against renewing cooperation with GRS.
He had earlier announced BN's cooperation with Sabah Pakatan Harapan (PH), even before any formal decision was made by the top leadership of both coalitions.
The collaboration was later formalised through a joint statement by leaders from both BN and PH at the federal level.
