Joniston warns of free-for-all in Sabah polls
Published on: Wed, May 21, 2025 Text Size: KIULU: The state election may see a free-for-all due to unresolved seat negotiations among parties eyeing alliances, said Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) information chief Datuk Joniston Bangkuai. He said GRS is ready to go solo as previously indicated by the Chief Minister and GRS chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, following a pact between Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Harapan (PH) which sidelined GRS. Joniston said such a scenario could benefit voters, turning the election into a referendum between local coalitions and those aligned with peninsula-based parties. He cited GRS's ability to secure federal cooperation, increase the special grant to RM600 million, and raise Sabah's revenue to RM6.9 billion as proof of effective local governance. Reminding voters of the failed attempt to topple the State Government in January 2023, he called for political stability and leadership rooted in Sabah's interests. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Express
an hour ago
- Daily Express
Federal Govt allocates RM8.79b to roll out 86 projects under 12MP in Sabah: Fadillah
Published on: Sunday, July 13, 2025 Published on: Sun, Jul 13, 2025 By: Bernama Text Size: Fadillah speaks at the event. - fotoBERNAMA KOTA KINABALU: The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (Petra), has allocated RM8.79 billion until June 2025 to implement 86 development projects in Sabah. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, who is also the Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, stated that the total allocation will be disbursed under the Fifth Rolling Plan (RP5) of the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP). 'Sabah has received a fairly large allocation from the federal government … it is our commitment to resolve two key issues in Sabah: water and energy. 'Because without energy and water, there can be no economic growth in Sabah,' he said when speaking at the Petra Engagement Session with Sabah Media in 2025 here tonight. He said the Madani government is always striving to ensure that Sabah continues to prosper together as a big Malaysian family. Therefore, Sabah's progress is not only the responsibility of this state, but of the entire nation. 'With strong federal-state relations, we can build a more prosperous, just as well as sustainable state and country, with the support of a free and trustworthy media and a united people,' he said. Meanwhile, Fadillah also said the engagement session was intended as a platform for the media to better understand the role of Petra and agencies under its auspices. 'We organised this session to foster closer ties and strengthen the relationship between the media and Petra's top management," he added. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
an hour ago
- Daily Express
PH-BN combo can win big in Sabah polls: Umno sec-gen
Published on: Sunday, July 13, 2025 Published on: Sun, Jul 13, 2025 By: Bernama Text Size: TANJONG KARANG: Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) can secure a big win in the next Sabah state election if they join forces, based on trends in past elections, said UMNO secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki. He said the cooperation between the two coalitions has become a benchmark, as this element was key to their significant wins in three state by-elections -- Ayer Kuning in Perak, Mahkota in Johor and Nenggiri in Kelantan. 'We've seen how we managed to win in polling districts that we had never won before, particularly in areas with non-Malay majorities, all because of this cooperation. 'So why should we be arrogant and refuse to work with others? UMNO is an open and dynamic party,' he told reporters after opening the Tanjong Karang UMNO division delegates meeting here today. Asyraf Wajdi further said that negotiations between PH and BN for cooperation in the Sabah state election have reached 98 per cent completion. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
The Star
3 hours 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.
