Latest news with #PH-dominated
New Straits Times
01-05-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Sabah Umno proposes Bung Moktar as BN's 'poster boy' for state polls
KUALA LUMPUR: Sabah Umno plans to propose its chief, Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, as Barisan Nasional's (BN) 'poster boy' for the upcoming state election. This comes despite the Kinabatangan member of parliament previously saying that the party was not prioritising the selection of a 'poster boy'. Sabah Umno information chief Datuk Suhaimi Nasir said Bung is seen as the most suitable figure to front BN Sabah, given his position as the coalition's top leader in the state. "For us (Sabah Umno), it has always been the tradition for the BN chairman to be the poster boy," he said during an interview with several media outlets, including the New Straits Times recently. Suhaimi, who is also the Libaran MP, said, however, that the PH-BN alliance has yet to officially name any individual as its poster boy. "We need to seek advice from the presidents of both parties," he added. On a related matter. Suhaimi reaffirmed BN's stance to contest in 40 state seats, with the remaining 33 allocated to PH and other allies. "Umno will mostly contest in semi-urban and rural seats, while urban seats will be given to PH or partner coalitions," he said. Commenting on claims by Johor MCA that the BN-PH collaboration has weakened the party's influence and marginalised its role, Suhaimi said MCA must acknowledge that its support base and strength have declined. "In Sabah, for example, MCA has never won a seat even when given the opportunity to contest in urban areas. "They should be self-aware. If MCA is strong, BN will naturally become more dominant and regain public trust." Previously, Johor MCA Youth chief Heng Zhi Li claimed that the BN-PH partnership had only accelerated Umno's decline while diminishing MCA's political relevance. He also said that if the trend continued, BN component parties would be reduced to mere accessories in a PH-dominated government.
Free Malaysia Today
29-04-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
PH slowly destroying BN, not saving it, says Johor MCA Youth
Johor MCA Youth chief Heng Zhi Li urged BN's top leaders to urgently rethink the coalition's direction and not sacrifice its core values and multiracial identity for short-term political gains. PETALING JAYA : Pakatan Harapan is not saving Barisan Nasional but dismantling it from within, and blind cooperation will only render BN parties politically irrelevant, says Johor MCA Youth chief Heng Zhi Li. Heng said recent comments by Johor Umno Youth chief Noor Azleen Ambros – who criticised MCA secretary-general Chong Sin Woon for urging the Chinese-based party to chart its own path – put BN into a 'lower and subordinate position'. Heng Zhi Li. Chong was quoted by Sin Chew Daily as saying that MCA grassroots were frustrated by BN's ongoing indecision after waiting more than two years for clear direction since the last general election. 'While Noor Azleen acknowledges the challenges faced by MCA, he must equally recognise that the current cooperation with PH is not only shrinking MCA's political influence – it is also accelerating the erosion of Umno's own political standing. 'If this trend continues, it will leave BN component parties increasingly irrelevant within a PH-dominated government,' Heng said in a statement today. He likened PH's strategy to the 'boiling frog' analogy, saying the danger might only be noticed once it became too late. Heng also pointed to an ideological gap between BN and PH, citing PH's failure to fulfil its manifesto promises, its alleged vilification of BN leaders, and economic decisions such as scrapping the goods and services tax (GST) in favour of the sales and services tax (SST). 'These actions show that PH is not, and has never been, a natural partner for BN. Cooperating blindly with PH will inevitably compromise BN's survival as well,' he said. Heng said MCA remained committed to rebuilding BN as a pragmatic, multiracial coalition focused on racial harmony and long-term economic planning. 'We must not lose our soul, our dignity, or our founding mission merely for the sake of temporary political survival,' he said. 'We, therefore, call for an honest and urgent reassessment of BN's direction by the top leadership, for the sake of the rakyat, and for Malaysia's future.'
