Latest news with #SabahUmno
Malaysiakini
19-07-2025
- Business
- Malaysiakini
Did SMM board, Hajiji greenlight 'private jet' trip, Sabah Umno leader asks
Sabah Umno raised concerns over Sabah Mineral Management (SMM) CEO Natasha Sim's alleged RM400,000 luxury trip on a private jet, asking if it was approved by the board of directors or Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor. Sabah Umno strategic communications director Datu Rosman Datu Ahir Zaman urged the government-linked company (GLC) to clarify the alleged trip's purpose - whether it was an official working visit, an investment negotiation, or for backroom negotiations.
Free Malaysia Today
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Sabah Umno at historic low after ‘Kinabalu Move', says analyst
Sabah Umno chief Bung Moktar Radin and fellow Umno leaders at the press conference in January 2023 where the party announced its withdrawal of support for chief minister Hajiji Noor. PETALING JAYA : Sabah Umno may be at its weakest position yet heading into the upcoming state election, following public disagreements between its top two leaders, Bung Moktar Radin and Abdul Rahman Dahlan, according to an analyst. Rahman, who is Sabah Umno deputy chief, had suggested that Barisan Nasional (BN) made a mistake by pulling out of the state government in the 2023 'Kinabalu Move'. Bilcher Bala of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) said Rahman's remarks were likely prompted by a realisation of the party's weak grassroots machinery and organisational structure. 'This highlights how quitting a government without a clear recovery plan can have long-term consequences on voter perception and the party's ability to compete effectively. Bilcher Bala. 'Rahman's view may also reflect growing awareness of Sabah's increasingly complex political landscape, where local parties like Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and Warisan are becoming more dominant, while Umno is seen as carrying 'federal baggage'. 'Sabah Umno is now in the weakest position in its history,' he told FMT. It was reported previously that Bung, the Sabah Umno chief, had advised Rahman to stop dwelling on the past following the latter's comments on the Kinabalu Move. He also maintained that the withdrawal of support for chief minister Hajiji Noor in January 2023 was not his personal call, but a collective decision by the state Umno leadership that was not taken lightly. However, Bilcher said the weakness Sabah Umno is facing does not spell the end for BN's ambitions to contest and win as many of the 73 Sabah assembly seats as possible, provided it can craft a new narrative that resonates with the voters. 'Despite the disagreements, both leaders still operate within the party's formal leadership structure, and Bung himself has said such differences are normal in any party. 'If Umno can unite its grassroots machinery, forge strategic alliances with other parties, and offer a relevant manifesto, there's still a chance for an upset. But it won't be easy,' he said. Bung and Rahman have clashed on several occasions over the past few years, including last year after Rahman invited Hajiji to a divisional meeting also attended by Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. In March, they traded barbs again over where Rahman may be fielded as a candidate in the state election. But Bung has played this down to mere 'differences in opinion' which he said was a normal process in bolstering the state chapter and had not led to outright division. Lee Kuok Tiung. Another UMS academic, Lee Kuok Tiung, said being in government is a clear advantage, which is why Pakatan Harapan (PH) agreed to join the Sabah administration after the Kinabalu Move. He noted that some Umno assemblymen joined GRS, while others, led by Bung, remained in the opposition. 'Looking at the 14 seats BN won in the 16th state election (in 2020), it's clear there's been a split,' he said. Awang Azman Awang Pawi. However, Awang Azman Awang Pawi of Universiti Malaya said there is still hope for Sabah Umno despite its fragile current state as it continues to have a strong grassroots base. 'Rahman himself acknowledged that Umno's grassroots machinery remains strong despite the difficult situation. 'This is a crucial foundation for mobilising during the campaign period, though more efforts must be made to strengthen the party's machinery,' he said.
Malay Mail
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
‘We are not prisoners of the past': Bung Moktar says Sabah Umno focused on future ahead of state polls, not 2022 drama
KOTA KINABALU, July 18 — Sabah Umno chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin says the party is focused on moving forward, despite attempts to revive old political narratives ahead of the state election. He said this in response to recent remarks by former minister Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan, who had touched on events that unfolded in 2022. 'As a senior leader in Umno and my long-time friend, Datuk Rahman has every right to express his personal views. In a party that believes in democracy, such openness is part of our political maturity,' Bung said in a statement. He said the differences of opinion that arose between them back then were normal in politics. 'What matters is how we resolve them. Datuk Rahman knows that the decision taken at the time was not personal, but the result of a collective leadership consensus in Sabah Umno after careful consideration of all implications,' Bung added, stressing that the episode is now behind them. 'We respect the past, but we are not prisoners of it,' he said. He also took a swipe at certain quarters in the media, accusing them of trying to spin the old issue for their own narrative. 'Let me be clear. Sabah Umno is united, focused and fully committed as one team heading into the coming state election (PRN17). 'We are ready with solid grassroots machinery, renewed energy and a clear agenda to restore dignity and deliver effective governance under a strong national leadership,' he said. He added that in today's political landscape whether in Sabah, Malaysia, or globally the public values leaders who offer solutions, not those who remain stuck in the past. 'That is why Sabah Umno chooses to be part of the solution, part of the future,' he said. — The Borneo Post
The Star
17-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Sabah Umno to focus on unity and upcoming state election
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Umno is focusing its efforts on winning the upcoming state election, known as PRN17, prioritising unity and a clear purpose over past disputes. Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, leader of both Sabah Barisan Nasional and Umno, asserted the party's readiness with strong grassroots machinery, renewed energy, and a clear agenda aimed at restoring effective governance under strong national leadership. "Our mission is singular and urgent, to win the state election. And we are ready with solid grassroots machinery, renewed energy, and a clear agenda to restore dignity and deliver effective governance under a strong national leadership," he stated on Thursday (July 17). Addressing recent remarks by fellow Sabah Umno leader Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan, Bung Moktar emphasised that while differing opinions exist, the party's focus should remain on the future rather than past events. He noted that Abdul Rahman had referenced events from 2022, reflecting past internal differences, but clarified that the decisions then were made through collective consensus. "Politics naturally involves differences. What matters is how we resolve them. That episode is behind us. We respect the past, but we are not prisoners of it," he said. Bung Moktar also criticised certain media outlets for reviving old narratives for their own purposes. "Let me be clear, Sabah Umno is united, focused, and fully committed as one team heading into PRN17," he added. He reiterated the party's dedication to providing real solutions that address the people's needs, rather than getting entangled in old political drama. "In today's political landscape, whether in Sabah, Malaysia, or globally, the public values those who offer solutions, not those stuck in the past. That is why Sabah Umno chooses to be part of the solution, part of the future," he concluded.
Daily Express
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
Sabah parties must lead Sabah: Armizan
Published on: Sunday, July 06, 2025 Published on: Sun, Jul 06, 2025 By: Hayati Dzulkifli Text Size: The national parties form the backbone at the federal level, and local parties form the backbone at the state level, a political model that must be maintained,' Armizan said. Tenom: Sabahans must ensure that Sabah-based parties form the backbone of future Sabah governments so that Sabah's interests and rights will always be protected. Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) Deputy Sec-Gen Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said his advice is justified based on past bitter experiences, citing the passing of the controversial Territorial Sea Act in 2012 (TSA 2012) – which limits state powers to only three nautical miles from the shore. Advertisement Saying this must never be repeated, he noted that there were leaders who were silent like mice when the TSA was tabled and passed in Parliament back in 2012, but are now vocal about state rights. Although he did not identify them, it is believed that he was referring to leaders in Sabah Umno and Barisan Nasional. 'There are leaders who were Members of Parliament (MPs) or even federal ministers in 2012. They should explain why they are only raising objections now (on the TSA). 'Why did they not protest when the Bill was tabled in Cabinet and Parliament in 2012 until it became law? These are records of parties and leaders that cannot be erased from history,' he added. The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister said this is why it is crucial that the backbone of the state government must be a local party to keep Sabah's priorities at the forefront. 'The core of the Federal and State Governments should come from different parties that ensures the relationship between the Federal and State Governments remains inter-governmental, not merely intra-party. 'This kind of relationship underpins the current alignment where the Federal Government's core is Pakatan Harapan (PH), while the State Government's core is GRS. The national parties form the backbone at the federal level, and local parties form the backbone at the state level, a political model that must be maintained,' he said. Armizan was speaking at the annual meeting of Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (PGRS) of Melalap, here, on Saturday. He said a clear example of the importance of maintaining this political model is in the drafting of the Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) Act 2025, which was passed in Parliament in March 2025 (Dewan Rakyat on March 6, 2025, Dewan Negara on March 25 2025). He said the CCUS Act only applies for peninsula after getting Sabah, Sarawak's input. 'The original plan was for the CCUS Bill to cover the entire country. However, following feedback from the Sabah government under GRS and the Sarawak government under GPS, the Federal Cabinet agreed to limit its application to Peninsular Malaysia and FT Labuan. 'This was made possible because the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is committed to recognising the special position of Sabah and Sarawak as provided in the Federal Constitution and the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63),' he said. While emphasising that Sabah does not reject national parties, Armizan who is also Member of Parliament for Papar pointed out that Sabah Cabinet also includes PH elected people representatives. 'This ensures state matters are always discussed within the structure of inter-governmental relations, and not negotiated internally within a single party first,' he said. Armizan attributed the difference in outcomes between 2012 and 2025 to two factors: first, in 2012 both the federal and state governments were led and dominated by the same national party, unlike today where the federal core is a national party and the state core is a local party. Secondly, he said almost all of Sabah's MPs at the time were in national parties or coalitions and thus bound by national party decisions, which dictated their votes in Parliament. * 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
