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Free Malaysia Today
2 days ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Sabah Umno's strategy may not change election outcome, analyst claims
Sabah BN risks being sidelined in post-election negotiations if it seeks to contest the upcoming state polls on its own, a political analyst has claimed. (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA : A political analyst has claimed that the outcome of Sabah's 17th state election does not depend on whether Sabah Barisan Nasional-Umno continues its alliance with Pakatan Harapan or contests independently. Oh Ei Sun. Oh Ei Sun of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs said this was because BN lynchpin Umno and PH hold few, if any, overlapping seats in Sabah — making direct electoral clashes unlikely. 'The cold, harsh fact is that most parties will go solo, without any overlapping wherever possible. So this decision is no better or worse than if BN teams up with some other parties. 'BN and PH have few overlapping seats as the latter focuses mostly on urban and suburban seats while Umno focuses mainly on rural seats. So, it makes little difference if they team up or not,' he told FMT. Separately, Universiti Malaysia Sabah's Bilcher Bala warned Sabah Umno that its grassroots support has weakened considerably since the 2020 state election, and that contesting alone could be a highly risky strategy. Bilcher said going up against PH and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) would only benefit the likes of Warisan or Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat (KDM), putting Umno at risk of losing seats it currently controls. 'BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has already stressed that no single party is expected to win a simple majority in the state election. Therefore, alliances are key to forming the state government. Bilcher Bala. 'Going solo could cause Sabah BN to be sidelined in the post-election negotiations, thus losing all chances of having any influence in the state administration. It would be a highly risky and unpragmatic move,' he said. BN and PH previously reached a pact for the state election, but GRS also announced an alliance with PH last month. Sabah Umno strategic director Rosman Ahir Zaman later said the party was capable of facing the state polls on its own, adding that it had no intention of cooperating with 'dishonest and insincere' parties. A leader of Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), a GRS component, then challenged Sabah Umno to exercise its autonomy by officially declaring that it would go solo in the state election. However, Sabah Umno chief Bung Moktar Radin brushed off the remark, saying the state chapter will not act hastily in pinning down its election strategy. Bilcher said Sabah Umno may have little choice except to maintain its pact with PH, especially since the central leadership favours that alliance. 'If Sabah BN leaves this pact, they risk losing central support and access to national machinery, allowing PH and GRS to dominate.' He added that Rosman's statement clearly contradicted Zahid's stand on electoral alliances, especially since the Umno president had claimed the party may find 'friends among enemies'. 'The Sabah Umno leader's actions may be seen as challenging the central leadership and could spark internal tensions, especially if it affects BN's chances at the polls,' Bilcher said. 'If Sabah Umno really wants to go solo, it must prove that it still has grassroots support through the addition of new members.'
Malaysiakini
7 days ago
- Business
- Malaysiakini
Bung warns against rakyat bearing brunt of expanded SST
PARLIAMENT | Putrajaya should avoid burdening the rakyat with high sales and service tax (SST) rates, said Bung Moktar Radin (BN-Kinabatangan). While the Sabah BN chief acknowledged that taxes are a necessary measure for the government to generate revenue and implement transformative developments, he argued that such levies should not be imposed at a rate that would put further pressure on the rakyat.
Free Malaysia Today
22-06-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
‘Sabahan No 1' not an empty slogan, says Salleh
Sabah BN treasurer Salleh Said Keruak said the state party moved in tandem with the federal unity government. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : 'Sabahan No 1' is not an empty slogan for Barisan Nasional as it represents the party's struggle to give priority to the interests of the people of Sabah, according to Sabah BN treasurer Salleh Said Keruak. Speaking to Umno members in Benoni, he said BN relied on hard work and perseverance, rather than populist sentiment or material inducements, with 'not just promises, but actual delivery'. Salleh, who is state assemblyman for Usukan, said: 'We don't come with money, but with spirit and hard work.' His remarks come a week after Sabah chief minister Hajiji Noor reiterated his stance that local parties should lead and dominate Sabah politics. While he acknowledged cooperation with national parties, Hajiji maintained that ultimate political control should remain in the hands of Sabahans themselves. Salleh, who has previously asserted that the struggle for the state's rights is not the domain of any one party but of all Sabahans, said Sabah BN moved in tandem with the federal unity coalition government, to ensure Sabah had a decisive voice in national affairs. Last week, Sabah BN chairman Bung Moktar Radin called for a straight contest between BN and the ruling coalition GRS at the next state elections. He said cooperation could be considered after the elections. GRS deputy secretary-general Armizan Mohd Ali said that Bung's proposal was reasonable and should be honoured as the only way to resolve the conflict between the two coalition parties.
Free Malaysia Today
22-06-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
No coalition partner should act like ‘big brother', says Salleh
Sabah BN treasurer Salleh Said Keruak, a former chief minister, said the new formula was about 'political accommodation' and not merely power-sharing. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : No party in Barisan Nasional should act like a 'big brother', Sabah BN treasurer Salleh Said Keruak said today, revealing that the coalition was looking into a new formula for power-sharing in the state government. Salleh, a former chief minister, said Sabah BN was exploring a new formula that would ensure fair political representation among the state's diverse communities, the New Straits Times reported. The new formula was not just about power-sharing, but 'political accommodation,' he was quoted as saying. 'We feel that in any coalition, no party should act like a 'big brother'. We need a formula that can satisfy everyone.' When asked what formula he had in mind, Salleh said Sabah BN would use past models as a guide. He said previously Bumiputeras were divided into Muslims and non-Muslims. 'We should discuss (the matter) so that we can consider Bumiputera to mean both Muslim Bumiputera and non-Muslim Bumiputera.' Salleh also said BN was preparing a draft commitment for Sabahans to tackle the state's fundamental issues, which he personally pledged to lead.
Daily Express
15-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
Sabah BN ready to face GRS: Bung
Published on: Monday, June 16, 2025 Published on: Mon, Jun 16, 2025 By: Abbey Junior Text Size: Bung said past alliances that lacked sincerity only led to weak, inconsistent governments that failed to inspire public confidence. Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) is open to a democratic clash with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) in the coming state election, but says it won't enter into alliances just to prop up weak and insincere governments. Its Chairman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin said Sabah BN does not need to wait for signals from other parties before stating its position or taking action. Advertisement 'The statement reflects the normal dynamics in a multi-party democracy, where different players operate in the same space but with different foundations of legitimacy and structure,' he said. He was responding to GRS Deputy Secretary-General Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, who had voiced support for a straight fight between GRS and BN in the coming Sabah polls — mirroring Bung's earlier suggestion for both coalitions to go head-to-head at the polls. 'If viewed positively, it is a healthy sign of competition in ideas and policy,' Bung said. However, he stressed that cooperation must be built on trust and honesty, not just on paper agreements. 'BN does not reject political cooperation outright. But we will only work with those who are honest, not just in signing agreements, but in implementing policies, respecting the role of partners and upholding the integrity of the political system,' he said. 'Political cooperation without honesty is like building a house on mud — it may stand for a while, but it will eventually collapse under pressure. BN has learned this lesson, and so have the people.' Bung said past alliances that lacked sincerity only led to weak, inconsistent governments that failed to inspire public confidence. 'To GRS, if you are truly ready for a democratic contest, we welcome it,' he said. 'Clashing at the ballot box is not something to fear. It is the best way to prove who really holds the people's trust, based on genuine strength, not borrowed support or shortcuts.' Bung also called on Sabahans, especially younger and politically aware voters, to reassess their choices as the State heads into its next election. 'Sabah BN does not come with mere slogans. We have a track record of leading the State towards development. We have also been tested. ' Now, we return with the determination to improve, not to repeat. 'In politics, legitimacy doesn't come from the number of seats alone, but from the people's trust in our sincerity.' * 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
