'Wake up': Pairin rekindles 1985 spirit as Sabah heads towards critical vote
Now 84, the former Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) president, long seen as a quiet elder statesman, warned Sabahans not to lose their grip on their home.
'The most important thing Sabahans must decide for this (upcoming) election is to ensure we have a government...
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Perikatan's rejection makes things easier, says GRS' Armizan
PENAMPANG: Perikatan Nasional's rejection of cooperation makes Gabungan Rakyat Sabah's (GRS) direction clear ahead of the coming state election, says Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali The deputy secretary-general said Perikatan's decision, led by chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, makes it easier for GRS to move forward without political ambiguity. 'In my personal view, we should thank Tan Sri Muhyiddin for making things easier for us,' Armizan said in a statement on Sunday (July 13). On July 11, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, speaking in Sandakan, described GRS's departure from Perikatan as a 'betrayal' — claiming that GRS had denied Perikatan its rightful seats and even though he was the one who had named the coalition and approved its registration. 'Working together again (with GRS) is very difficult, because it is a party that has denied us the government. Would you work with them if you were in my position?' the Perikatan chairman had told a reporter. Armizan, who is also Papar MP said Muhyiddin's remarks spared GRS from having to issue its own statement of rejection, which could be misunderstood. 'Firstly, without us needing to explain, he has made it clear that there was never any proposal for cooperation between both parties. 'Secondly, it saves us from having to issue a rejection ourselves, which could have come across as arrogant. Let others speak — we welcome it. 'Thirdly, our path is now more straightforward. Without us asking, Barisan Nasional Sabah and now Perikatan have both publicly rejected GRS. What truly matters is the support of the people — not of any political bloc,' he said. While stressing that he would not respond personally to Muhyiddin, Armizan said he was raised to respect political differences without resorting to personal attacks. 'In politics, I was taught to avoid making personal remarks — especially when it involves a former prime minister who is highly respected.' He urged Sabahans instead to pay attention to the tone of national leaders who continue to imply that GRS leaders owe their positions to West Malaysian political figures. 'We've heard statements like 'we made Hajiji an elected representative' or 'we chose him to be Chief Minister'. That mindset is exactly what needs to change in Sabah politics.' He said such statements reflect how major national coalitions continue to dominate decision-making — from candidate selection to leadership appointments — leaving Sabahans subordinate to West Malaysian party leadership. 'Those selected are expected to be loyal and obedient to the top leadership over there,' he said. Armizan said local parties like GRS offer Sabah a more independent future. 'With local parties, candidates are selected and endorsed by Sabah leaders. The Chief Minister is someone chosen from among Sabah-based parties, by the people of Sabah themselves.' 'Moving forward, it's time we send a clear signal — the master is not there, the master is here – the people of Sabah,' he said.
Borneo Post
4 hours ago
- Borneo Post
PN's rejection clarifies political landscape - Armizan
Armizan (left) speaking to the media at the closing of Consumer Festival 2025 at ITCC Penampang on Sunday.-Bernama photo PENAMPANG (July 13): Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) views Perikatan Nasional's (PN) rejection of cooperation with the state coalition as a blessing in disguise, said its deputy secretary-general, Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the Festival Kepenggunaan 2025 (CONFEST 2025) here on Sunday, Armizan said PN chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's recent remarks only serve to clarify the true political landscape. 'My personal opinion is that with PN's statement rejecting cooperation with GRS, we should actually be thankful to Tan Sri Muhyiddin because he has made things easier for us,' said Armizan. 'Firstly, without us needing to explain, he has directly shown the reality — that there was never any proposal for cooperation between both sides.' He added that the clear stance saves GRS from having to issue its own rejection. 'This makes things easier for us because GRS does not have to issue a statement rejecting cooperation with certain parties. Otherwise, we might appear arrogant and conceited. Let others speak — we welcome it,' he said. Muhyiddin on Saturday stated that PN refuses to cooperate with GRS, which he accused of betraying the coalition after forming the state government without PN. He said PN is instead open to working with other parties ahead of the upcoming Sabah state election. 'It's very difficult to work with GRS because that party has denied us. Would you want to work with them if you were in my position?' said Muhyiddin, who also claimed that the GRS name was his idea during the coalition's early days. He added that PN is currently scrutinising all state constituencies in preparation for the state polls and expressed confidence that public support for the coalition remains strong — citing their roadshows and dissatisfaction with the Sabah government over infrastructure, cost of living and corruption issues. 'One fact is that people remember our sincerity in managing the country during Covid-19, the aid we provided, our efforts to save many lives. They still remember my contributions and still call me 'Abah',' he said. In response, Armizan said such developments only help to solidify GRS' direction as more national coalitions publicly declare their positions. 'So far, our affairs have become simpler — without us asking, BN Sabah and now PN have declared their stand to reject GRS. What's important is that we keep moving forward. What matters is the people's support, not support from other political blocs,' he said. While refraining from personal attacks, Armizan urged Sabahans to reflect on the underlying message behind such political moves. 'We can hear in their speeches — they say 'We are the ones who made Hajiji an elected representative, we chose Hajiji to be Chief Minister'. This is exactly where we need to pioneer change in Sabah's politics,' he said. Armizan criticised the current structure of national coalitions, which he said places Sabah leaders at the mercy of decision-makers in Peninsular Malaysia. 'In a national coalition, the selection and endorsement of election candidates — even the Chief Minister — are determined by the top leadership in Peninsular Malaysia. Whoever is chosen is expected to remain loyal and obedient to them,' he said. He stressed that local parties offer Sabah greater autonomy. 'With local parties, the candidates are selected and endorsed by local leaders. The Chief Minister comes from among leaders chosen by the people of Sabah themselves.' 'Moving forward, it's time to send a clear signal — the master is not there; the master is here. And the ultimate master is the people of Sabah,' said Armizan. 'Why do I use the word 'master'? We'll talk about that another time,' he added.
Focus Malaysia
7 hours ago
- Focus Malaysia
Pairin urges Sabahans to ‘stand up' and back local parties over national coalitions
FORMER Sabah chief minister Joseph Pairin Kitingan, 84, has urged Sabahans to support local parties over national-based parties in the upcoming state election. Speaking candidly to the media at the PBS-Sabah Star convention, Pairin warned Sabahans not to lose control of their home and urged youth to 'wake up' and stand up for the state's future. His message comes as the ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition considers contesting solo without federal partners. 'The most important thing Sabahans must decide for this (upcoming) election is to ensure we have a government based on local parties,' said Pairin, whose face showed clear signs of frustration. 'Not parties from Malaya (national-based parties),' he added. Pairin, once a symbol of Sabah's political autonomy, expressed frustration that Sabah has been sidelined in decision-making and urged voters not to let others decide their destiny. In 1985, just a week after founding PBS, Pairin led the party to a shock victory over the ruling Berjaya government, marking a historic moment for Kadazandusun leadership and Sabah's political autonomy. However, after nearly a decade in power, PBS lost control in 1994 following the defection of several assemblypersons to BN. Addressing Sabah's youths, he said, 'Wake up. This is your home. Do not just let others decide your future while you stay quiet. Stand up for Sabah.' —July 13, 2025 Main image: Alchetron
