Latest news with #localParties
Free Malaysia Today
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Sabah activist pans Bung's claim of minimal development under local parties
Sabah activist Johan Ariffin Samad said Umno failed to lift Sabah from the poverty trap. (Wikipedia pic) PETALING JAYA : A Sabah activist says it is unfair to claim that there was minimal development when the state was governed by local parties, pointing to the contributions of leaders such as former chief minister Harris Salleh. Johan Ariffin Samad said Harris, the former president of local party Berjaya who led the state for nearly 10 years, was still regarded as the father of Sabah's industrial and agriculture development. Johan Ariffin Samad. He also cited some of Harris's legacies, like the Desa Dairy Farm in Kundasang, developed under a state government-linked company, which he said was still operating today. 'It is unfair to claim that Sabah saw minimal development under a local party,' Johan, also known as Joe Samad, told FMT. The remark was made by Sabah Umno chief Bung Moktar Radin, who had referred to the period of 1963 to 1994. Bung said that development took a back seat due to political infighting and power struggles among local parties. He also claimed that frequent changes in government had led to incoherent development plans and the underdevelopment of much of rural Sabah. Harris became chief minister in 1976, following the plane crash that killed his predecessor and party comrade, Fuad Stephens. He led the state until he was ousted in an election in 1985 by Joseph Pairin Kitingan, who had left Berjaya to form Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS). In 2020, former banker John Lo told FMT that he regarded Harris as the overseer of the 'golden era' of Sabah's economic development. Lo credited Harris for the development of the tourism, oil and gas industries and an acceleration in agricultural development. Bung Moktar Radin. Johan also rubbished Bung's claim that 'real change' only took place in 1994, when Barisan Nasional (BN) took over the state administration. He said Umno had failed to lift Sabah from the poverty trap and that it remains the state with the highest poverty level. 'Umno focused on urban development centres like Kota Kinabalu, which resulted in the poor infrastructure that we have today in the rural areas,' he said. He added that Umno and BN had likewise failed to resolve the issue of undocumented migrants which continued despite the royal commission of inquiry (RCI) findings on 'Project IC', which saw thousands of undocumented migrants granted Malaysian citizenship. He also cited the rotating system for chief ministers, initiated by Umno, which he said had weakened the state leadership. The system, introduced after BN regained power in Sabah in 1994, saw the post rotated every two years among leaders representing the different communities. 'Bung is the biggest hypocrite for blaming local parties and crediting Umno for development,' he said.
Free Malaysia Today
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Activist supports Hajiji's stance on GRS going solo in Sabah polls
James Ligunjang said GRS chairman Hajiji Noor's announcement that GRS would contest independently, while focusing on collaboration with other local parties, would represent a 'strategic realignment' that places Sabahans first. PETALING JAYA : Hajiji Noor's announcement that GRS is ready to contest in the Sabah election on its own, should Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) join forces in the upcoming polls, is a significant step, says Sabah rights activist James Ligunjang. The former Petagas assemblyman said the statement by the GRS chairman, who is also Sabah chief minister, is a 'clarion call for Sabahans to reaffirm their commitment to self-determination'. 'The proposed PH-BN alliance raises concerns about the dominance and potential sidelining of local parties in the state's administration. It raises fears of external influence reminiscent of colonial times. 'Hajiji's proactive stance serves as both a warning and an opportunity for a referendum on whether Sabahans will allow political entities from Malaya to dictate their state's trajectory toward self-empowerment,' Ligunjang said in a statement. Yesterday, Hajiji said GRS has consistently held that local Sabah parties should be the backbone and head of the state government, without sidelining the important role national parties play in the larger political framework. He said this was because local parties had a better understanding of the realities, cultures and needs of Sabahans. Ligunjang said any decision by GRS to contest independently, while focusing on collaboration with other local parties, would represent a 'strategic realignment' that places Sabahans first. 'By aligning with the national unity government at the federal level, GRS aims to demonstrate that true stability involves empowering local voices and prioritising the needs of Sabahans,' he said. GRS and PH are currently allies in Hajiji's government, while BN sits in the opposition in the state assembly with Warisan. However, all four parties are allies in the federal government. Yesterday, the unity government coalition secretariat announced that PH and BN have agreed to work together for the Sabah polls, following a meeting between their respective chairmen, Anwar Ibrahim and Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Free Malaysia Today
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
LDP supports GRS going solo if BN-PH pact a done deal
LDP president Chin Su Phin said any deviation from the Sabah-first principle would be a disservice to the state's people, who have consistently called for homegrown leadership. (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA : The Liberal Democratic Party has backed Gabungan Rakyat Sabah chairman Hajiji Noor over the possibility of the ruling state coalition contesting the coming state assembly elections on its own. LDP president Chin Su Phin said in a statement: 'The idea of Sabah being led by local parties is not merely political strategy – it is a necessity rooted in the aspirations, culture, and realities unique to the people of this state. He said the position taken by Hajiji was in line with the Sabah-first leadership principle. Any deviation from the Sabah-first principle would be a disservice to Sabahans, who have consistently called for homegrown leadership, he said. Chin said LDP believed 'in a Sabah that stands tall – not in defiance of the federal government, but in defence of its rightful autonomy and development agenda'. He said his party was ready to meet with other local parties who shared the same commitment towards Sabah. LDP would also 'continue to walk shoulder to shoulder with GRS'. LDP is one of the eight parties that form GRS, alongside Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah, Parti Bersatu Sabah, Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku, Sabah Progressive Party, Usno, Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah, and Parti Cinta Sabah. Hajiji said earlier that the coalition has consistently held that local Sabah parties should be the backbone and head of the state government, without sidelining the important role national parties play in the larger political framework. The chief minister said this was because local parties had a better understanding of the realities, cultures and needs of Sabahans. GRS and Pakatan Harapan are currently allies in Hajiji's government, while Barisan Nasional sits in the opposition in the state assembly with Warisan. All four parties are allies in the federal government. Earlier, the unity government coalition secretariat announced that BN and PH have agreed to work together for the Sabah state assembly elections. The state assembly's term ends on Nov 12 and elections must be held within 60 days of dissolution, unless it is dissolved earlier.
Free Malaysia Today
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
GRS ready to go solo in state polls, says Hajiji
Hajiji Noor said Sabah parties should be the backbone and head of the state government. PETALING JAYA : Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) is ready to contest in the upcoming Sabah election on its own if Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional's decision to cooperate for the state polls is final, says GRS chairman Hajiji Noor. Hajiji said GRS has consistently held that local Sabah parties should be the backbone and head of the state government, without sidelining the important role national parties play in the larger political framework. The Sabah chief minister said this was because local parties had a better understanding of the realities, cultures and needs of Sabahans. 'If PH and BN's decision to cooperate for the state election is final, then GRS is ready to go solo and focus on working with other local parties. 'To stray from this principle would mean neglecting the aspirations of the majority of Sabahans,' he said in a statement. Hajiji said GRS's struggle was for political stability and the people's welfare, and that he had consistently repeated that the current GRS-PH state government needed to be strengthened. He said this was because his state government represented a form of cooperation that has contributed to the overall strength of the federal unity government. 'To sideline local aspirations in the context of Sabah's political landscape would not be in line with the people's sentiments at the grassroots level.' Hajiji said GRS's top leadership will meet soon to set its direction for the state polls. He will also hold formal discussions with parties in the state administration to get their views on the issue. GRS and PH are currently allies in Hajiji's government, while BN sits in the opposition in the state assembly with Warisan. All four parties are allies in the federal government. Earlier, the unity government secretariat announced that BN and PH have agreed to work together for the Sabah state election, which must be held before the year ends. This followed a meeting between PH and BN chairmen, Anwar Ibrahim and Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
