Latest news with #SabahPakatan
Daily Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Express
Prime Minister's decision is wise and timely, says Upko
Published on: Thursday, June 05, 2025 Published on: Thu, Jun 05, 2025 Text Size: Joseph said this approach of strategic autonomy would not strengthen the party machinery and allow component parties to discuss seat sharing and cooperation in the field. Kota Kinabalu: The Prime Minister's decision to let Sabah Pakatan Harapan take the lead in facing the coming state election is a wise and timely move, says Upko. Its Youth Chief Felix Joseph Saang said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's recent statement asking Sabah Pakatan to take the lead in electoral pact negotiations, among other matters, showed his confidence in the political maturity and capability of the coalition's state leaders. The decision to have Datuk Ewon Benedick leading these negotiations also acknowledges the need to let local leaders strategise based on Sabah's political realities and sentiments, he added in a statement Wednesday. On Thursday (May 29), Anwar had said Sabah Pakatan would take charge of discussing seat arrangements, forging pacts and other matters related to the state polls. Joseph said this approach of strategic autonomy would not strengthen the party machinery and allow component parties to discuss seat sharing and cooperation in the field. 'Sabah has different, complex political backgrounds and, therefore, the decision to allow us to have full (authority) in the coming state election enables us to draw up a more inclusive, localised and focused strategy,' he said. He said the main focus was on Sabah's development, strengthening the State and giving more attention to local issues, including rural development, poverty and state rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63). Joseph said Ewon would be able to lead the way in forming strategic partnerships among coalitions. He said youth leaders within Sabah Pakatan will also support all initiatives and plans agreed upon by the leadership while going to the grassroots and actively sharing information on development agendas, policies and related matters. * 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
The Star
4 days ago
- Business
- The Star
'Strategic autonomy' for Sabah Pakatan in state polls a timely move, says Upko leader
KOTA KINABALU: The Prime Minister's decision to let Sabah Pakatan Harapan take the lead in facing the coming state election is a wise and timely move, says Upko. Its Youth chief Felix Joseph Saang said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's recent statement asking Sabah Pakatan to take the lead in electoral pact negotiations, among other matters, showed his confidence in the political maturity and capability of the coalition's state leaders. The decision to have Datuk Ewon Benedick leading these negotiations also acknowledges the need to let local leaders strategise based on Sabah's political realities and sentiments, he added in a statement on Wednesday (June 4). ALSO READ: All Pakatan matters on Sabah polls to be handled at state level, says Anwar On Thursday (May 29), Anwar had said Sabah Pakatan would take charge of discussing seat arrangements, forging pacts and other matters related to the state polls. Joseph said this approach of strategic autonomy would not strengthen the party machinery and allow component parties to discuss seat sharing and cooperation in the field. 'Sabah has different, complex political backgrounds and therefore, the decision to allow us to have full (authority) in the coming state election enables us to draw up a more inclusive, localised and focused strategy,' he said. ALSO READ: Anwar meets Sabah PKR leaders amid political shifts He said the main focus was on Sabah's development, strengthening the state and giving more attention to local issues, including rural development, poverty and state rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63). Joseph said Ewon would be able to lead the way in forming strategic partnerships among coalitions. He said youth leaders within Sabah Pakatan will also support all initiatives and plans agreed upon by the leadership while going to the grassroots and actively sharing information on development agendas, policies and related matters.
The Star
10-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
GRS can still be accommodated in PH-BN electoral pact, says Sabah PKR chief
KOTA KINABALU: Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional, which have formalised an electoral pact for the state election, are still open to accommodating Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), says Datuk Mustapha Sakmud. The Sabah PKR chairman said there was still space for discussions with GRS and other local parties to be part of a larger electoral pact involving both local and national parties. "We are still open to cooperation with GRS. Let us avoid clashes or conflicts. "We know that GRS wants to be the dominant party in the state government and we respect that," he told reporters after opening an education exhibition at North Borneo University College here Saturday (May 10). Mustapha believes that Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, who is GRS chairman, could discuss further the issue of cooperation when Pakatan chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim attends the closing of the state-level Madani Rakyat programme in Tawau on Sunday (May 11). Mustapha said the announcement for the Sabah electoral pact between Pakatan and Barisan on Friday (May 9) was made by the leadership in Kuala Lumpur and was done after consultation with Sabah Pakatan leaders. Hajiji, who has been seeking a pact with Pakatan without estranged Sabah Barisan, immediately responded that GRS would go solo if the Pakatan-Barisan pact goes ahead. "We hope for early discussions with GRS in line with the Prime Minister's aspiration to preserve the unity of the federal government. If possible, we want to bring that unity to the state level as well. "If GRS ultimately decides to go solo, it is their prerogative. We are prepared for all possible scenarios, including the worst-case one," Mustapha said, adding that different scenarios in politics were normal. "We try to avoid clashes, but if they happen, we will face them," he said, adding that the final decision is made by the voters. GRS has been in a coalition government with Sabah Pakatan since January 2023 after Sabah Barisan led by Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin pulled out their support for Hajiji and GRS.
The Star
10-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Political shifts ahead of Sabah polls 'more interesting', says Liew
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah PKR political bureau chairman Datuk Christina Liew has remained silent on potential political realignments ahead of the next state election. This comes amidst speculation that Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) may contest solo if Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional confirm their partnership. GRS chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said on Friday (May 9) that the Sabah-based coalition intends to contest the upcoming state polls alone after Sabah Pakatan aligned with the national Pakatan-Barisan decision to work together. 'I honestly do not know what is going on. I read that the Chief Minister (Hajiji) said he would make an announcement after the upcoming state legislative assembly is dissolved, so we will have to wait and see,' said Liew at the MATTA Fair Sabah 2025 launch on Saturday (May 10). Asked whether Sabah PKR was preparing for any possible realignment, Liew, who is also the state Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister, declined to speculate. 'This is a serious matter. I would like to have more definite answers before commenting. But it is getting more and more interesting,' she added. Liew, who is also Api-Api assemblyman, stressed that political developments would not deter her focus on serving the people. 'Whatever happens, whether there are changes or not, we will continue to serve the people in our constituencies. That remains our priority,' she said. The next state election in Sabah is expected to reshape political alignments as coalitions weigh their grassroots strength amid shifting voter sentiment. Although United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) and Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) are local parties, they are currently aligned with Sabah Pakatan and Sabah Barisan, respectively. With Hajiji signalling a solo path for GRS, observers say Sabah may witness a showdown between local-based and national-based political coalitions.
The Star
09-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Sabah polls: BN team-up vital for advancing national unity agenda, say PH leaders
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Pakatan Harapan views electoral cooperation with Barisan Nasional as a rational and necessary move to advance the country's unity agenda, particularly in the lead-up to the 17th Sabah Election. In a joint statement on Friday (May 9), Sabah Pakatan leaders said both coalitions are core pillars of the Federal Government alongside Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), and others. 'Given this partnership at the national level, it is only logical for (Barisan and Pakatan) to cooperate in elections. "We are also open to engaging with other parties who support unity and collaborative nation-building,' the statement read. ALSO READ: Sabah polls: Pakatan and Barisan join forces The coalition stressed that such cooperation should be driven by shared goals, chiefly, the development of Malaysia and the long-term interests of Sabah. They also noted the importance of preserving political stability and harmonious federal–state relations, which they said are crucial in fulfilling the aspirations behind the formation of Malaysia and ensuring a better future for the people of Sabah. The statement was jointly signed by Upko president Datuk Ewon Benedick, Sabah DAP chairman Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe, Sabah PKR chief Datuk Mustapha Sakmud, and Sabah Amanah chairman Tuan Lahirul Latigu. Earlier, Sabah Barisan and state Umno chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin had said the alliance aims to secure a genuine mandate from the people. Bung Moktar said the decision to cooperate reflects a commitment to political maturity, unity and stability. ALSO READ: Sabah polls: Spirit of consensus in every step of BN-PH seat talks, says Bung It was announced earlier on Friday that Pakatan and Barisan top leaders had met and reached a consensus to cooperate in the Sabah elections, with discussions on seat distribution and cooperation with other parties to be managed jointly by state leaders from both coalitions. Sabah Barisan also pledged full mobilisation of its machinery for the allies to contest as a united front. The stance of GRS, which had previously been open to working with Sabah Pakatan but remained hesitant about Barisan, is still unclear, with its chairman and Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor yet to comment on the latest developments.
