KOTA KINABALU: The Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) Information Chief Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, is urged to reflect on the political negotiations that led to the formation of the state government post-2020 state election, which also saw Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor being appointed as Chief Minister.
Sabah UMNO Election Director, Jeffery Nor Mohamed, said that the success of forming the state government at that time was the result of cooperation between GRS and Umno, and one of the three Deputy Chief Minister positions was given to a leader of the Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS).
“However, the ‘promise’ before the 2020 state election and post-election, GRS has shown dishonesty in the distribution of ministerial portfolios, which amounts to early betrayal,” he said in a statement today.
For the record, after the swearing-in ceremony of the Ministerial position at the State Palace following the 16th State Election, Sabah Umno Chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin was announced as the Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Local Government and Housing, differing from the initial promise before being changed to the Minister of Works.
Regarding Umno’s decision to leave the state government led by GRS, Jeffery said it was not a ‘Kinabalu move’ as depicted.
On the contrary, Jeffery, who is also the Putatan UMNO Chief, said it was a consensus from the majority decision of the UMNO Sabah leadership meeting.
“For the information of Datuk Joniston, the GRS information chief, we are not afraid to make the decision to stay out of the state government because all decisions are aimed at ‘surviving’ UMNO Sabah and all aspects have been taken into account.
“We are not a party that ‘lingers by the roadside’, jumping ship as soon as we lose in the state or general elections, always looking for a place that is part of the government even if the party’s principles and dignity are not upheld,” he said.
He said the decision not to accept Umno Sabah is up to each individual’s discretion because Umno respects the democratic system upheld by the party all this time.
“It’s up to GRS to go solo or not because that’s your party’s business, but don’t forget the history of PBS being in BN; when BN lost, they immediately sought a new place to continue the party’s life.”
“It’s up to the people of Sabah to decide who their party choice will be in the upcoming PRN17.
“I am confident that the political dynamics in Sabah indicate that they certainly want drastic changes, as almost the entire population of Sabah wants solutions to infrastructure problems rather than mere rhetoric,” he said.
Recently, UMNO Sabah emphasised that it will only consider cooperation with GRS after the PRN17 elections.
