PUTATAN: In light of the previous statements made by the Sabah UMNO chief, Datuk Seri Panglima Bung Moktar Radin, UMNO Sabah is exercising caution and will only engage in partnerships with parties that respect established agreements.
Sabah UMNO election director Jeffery Nor Mohamed said that it is highly unlikely for UMNO Sabah to collaborate with the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) in the upcoming 17th State Election (PRN).
He emphasised that the bitter experiences Sabah UMNO has faced in the past serve as a lesson, reinforcing the importance of not forming alliances with parties that do not honour their commitments.
“It is quite improbable for UMNO to partner with a coalition that lacks loyalty and sincerity in fulfilling its responsibilities to advocate for the welfare of the people of Sabah,” he said after opening a Mobile Legend competition in Kampung Meruntum on Sunday.
The Putatan UMNO chief was responding to comments made by GRS Chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, who suggested that a collaboration with UMNO for the upcoming PRN is not out of the question.
Jeffery pointed out that although there are UMNO representatives in the current Sabah Cabinet serving as Assistant Ministers, this arrangement merely serves to mislead the public, as these representatives are placed in positions of little significance.
He further noted that these appointments are based on the preferences of the Chief Minister rather than being made transparently and professionally, indicating a desire to appease the Prime Minister while simultaneously obscuring the reality from the people of Sabah.
“The GRS government cabinet is indeed distinctive, primarily due to its appointment of opposition party assembly members at the federal level from PAS and SAPP. Notably, the President of SAPP, Datuk Seri Panglima Yong Teck Lee, serves as the Deputy Chairman of Perikatan Nasional and also as the Deputy Chairman of PGRS, while simultaneously supporting the Unity Government at the federal level. This raises questions about the sincerity of such a government,” he said.
In response to Hajiji’s statement regarding the Tanjung Keramat assemblyman, Datuk Shahelmey Yahya, who is also a representative of UMNO in the Sabah cabinet, Jeffery remarked that Bung’s previous statement clearly indicated that Shahelmey does not represent UMNO Sabah, given that the Disciplinary Board has already suspended his membership.
“Without the Anti-Party Hopping Law, I am confident he would have joined GRS,” he stated.
Jeffery reiterated that it is highly unlikely for UMNO Sabah to engage in a collaborative relationship with GRS, particularly in preparation for the upcoming state elections, due to concerns of repeating past mistakes.
He believes that the experiences faced by UMNO Sabah should serve as a valuable lesson.
He noted that from the outset, PGRS demonstrated a lack of sincerity when forming the state government after the 16th state election.
Initially, it was agreed that Bung would serve as the Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Public Works; however, during the swearing-in ceremony, his role was altered to Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Local Government and Housing, he said.
“This situation arose early in the formation of the Sabah state cabinet, even before the appointments of the chairpersons of government-linked companies (GLCs), which are exclusively controlled by GRS.
“Therefore, Hajiji’s assertion that there are still Umno leaders serving as chairpersons of GLCs is merely rhetoric, especially considering that the chairpersons of the Village Development and Security Committees (JKKK) and the heads of customs from UMNO in many districts across the state have also been replaced,” he added.
