KOTA KINABALU: The GRS government, led by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, is alleged to have backed Perikatan Nasional (PN) without engaging in discussions with the members of the GRS coalition following the 15th general election, said Sabah UMNO information chief Datuk Suhaimi Nasir.
However, he asserted that after PN, led by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, failed to form the federal government, GRS under Hajiji made a complete turnaround (360 degrees) to express support for PH in forming a unity government.
“This reflects a party and government lacking principles and direction, showcasing confusion within GRS, where some leaders hold important positions with PN while simultaneously claiming to support the Unity Government,” he said in a statement here today.
Suhaimi added that GRS’s current actions are merely a performance to mislead everyone, including the Prime Minister, as a sign of support for PH.
At the same time, GRS leaders express sentiments like “this is our house; we take care of it” and “reject Malaya parties,” which are not directed solely at Umno, as the PH coalition also includes parties like PKR and DAP.
UMNO Sabah has corrected the statement made by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor, who claimed that only UMNO Sabah Chief Datuk Seri Panglima Bung Moktar withdrew support for the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) government.
Referring to Hajiji’s statement on Sunday, Suhaimi said the statement, which he made as the GRS Chairman, is misleading and could create a negative perception, especially among UMNO members in the state, suggesting that the withdrawal of support was an individual decision.
Suhaimi, who is Libaran MP, referred to the decision made during the UMNO Liaison Committee meeting in January 2023, chaired by Bung, and the press conference that followed, which included several UMNO representatives, some of whom hold ministerial positions.
He contended that the decision to withdraw support for Hajiji’s leadership as Chief Minister and GRS Chairman was made unanimously, not individually.
“Today, UMNO Sabah is here to clarify Hajiji’s statement that only Bung withdrew support for the GRS government. The truth is that this decision was made collectively by the UMNO Sabah leadership,” he said.
Hajiji, in his media statement on Sunday, stressed that only a few leaders from UMNO Sabah had withdrawn their support for the GRS government.
Suhaimi stated that Hajiji’s remarks are not based on facts but are misleading statements that could create negative perceptions among Umno members in Sabah.
He acknowledged that there are still Umno leaders in the Sabah state cabinet under the GRS government, but they only hold the position of Assistant Minister in less significant ministries with limited power. Promises of funding have turned out to be false.
Suhaimi emphasised that the ministerial position claimed by Hajiji does not represent Umno, as the minister’s membership has been suspended and does not reflect Umno Sabah.
He said that while there are still Umno/BN assembly members in the current Sabah cabinet, this is merely a façade to cover past weaknesses and mistakes.
