KOTA KINABALU: Jeffery Nor Mohamed, the Election Director for Sabah UMNO, has taken issue with comments made by Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, the Deputy Secretary-General of Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), suggesting that UMNO was using coercion to influence party affiliations within Sabah’s political landscape.
In response, Jeffery refuted this claim, urging Armizan to examine his own party’s actions, which he argued have led to UMNO members feeling compelled to switch parties for their political survival.
“This type of political maneuvering contradicts the statements being made,” Jeffery said in a statement today.
Jeffery, the Putatan UMNO chief, emphasized that fostering a positive relationship between the state and federal governments should not be a point of contention.
He highlighted the pressing issues facing the state, such as water, electricity, and infrastructure challenges, which require immediate attention.
“There is no need to take pride in past achievements when current issues affecting the people remain unresolved,” he remarked.
Previously, Armizan had asserted that the people of Sabah should not be coerced, emphasizing that external influences should not dictate political affiliations.
Jeffery stated that they were previously members of UMNO before transitioning to Bersatu and are now aligning with GRS.
“When faced with defeat in state or general elections, UMNO is often forsaken. This behavior reflects the characteristics of a weak leader, and the new leadership in Sabah UMNO finds such traits completely unacceptable as we navigate the current realities,” he remarked.
Jeffery further emphasized that the distinction between local and national parties should not be a primary concern, as the people of Sabah are primarily focused on the swift resolution of fundamental issues to restore stability and peace in their daily lives.
“Merely proclaiming the desire for a stable government while the lives of the people remain in turmoil raises the question: how can the state achieve stability?” Jeffery questioned.
