UMNO's selective amnesia won't work in Sabah

Focus Malaysia

3 days ago

SABAH politics is never short on drama but when UMNO starts playing the victim card, it's hard not to roll our eyes. This is especially true when the facts keep contradicting the fairy tales they spin.
Recently, Kota Kinabalu UMNO chief Musliati Moslimin cried betrayal, accusing Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) of turning their backs on an old friend.
It was a passionate claim with some even calling it an emotional outburst. But we must remember that like most melodramas, it lacks one thing – credibility.
To understand this better, let's rewind to 2020 during the Sabah state elections. GRS was then a new kid on the block. It was a coalition forged out of necessity to stop Warisan's dominance. An agreement was then made with Umno that the latter would contest 27 seats.
It was a strategic decision but when the nomination day came, UMNO's so called 'strategic discipline' turned into a seat grab exercise as they contested 41. So, who betrayed whom?
Fast forward to 2023. Just when Sabah was catching its breath politically, Langkah Kinabalu was mooted out of the blue.
Yes, UMNO again, allegedly trying to topple the GRS government led by Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. It was orchestrated with the support of some of the very people now shouting about betrayal.
The move failed but the damage to trust was done. Still, here we are with Musliati claiming UMNO is the wounded party while conveniently forgetting that it was her party that was swinging the axe.
And if one thought the contradictions stopped there, they would be mistaken. In the 15th General Election (GE15), UMNO was part of a coalition that suffered a clear rejection from Malaysian voters.
But somehow, they still ended up in government. Thanks to Pakatan Harapan (PH), the very coalition they once demonised. Betrayal? Or is that just what UMNO deems these days as political flexibility?
'Can't trust UMNO'
The problem with UMNO's narrative is that it demands everyone to have short memories. But Sabahans remember. They remember the broken promises. They remember the backdoor deals.
They remember the sudden claims of moral high ground from a party that lost its way – not just nationally – but in Sabah, too.
Musliati claimed that GRS has betrayed UMNO. But perhaps it was GRS that finally realised that partnering with a party constantly moving from internal crisis to public outrage was no longer viable.
Political partnerships are built on trust and trust is earned, not demanded via press statements.
It's also worth noting that while Musliati is shouting betrayal, GRS leaders have mostly remained focused on delivering governance, economic recovery and stability in Sabah – something which voters are watching closely.
Meanwhile, UMNO continues to focus on who gets what seat, which ministerial post and which partner they can blame next.
There's a reason UMNO is struggling to stay relevant in Sabah. It's not just because they lost seats. It's because they lost the people's trust.
The party of yesteryear keeps trying to revive old narratives in a new Sabah but voters have matured. They don't need more theatrics. They want leaders who deliver – not leaders who cry wolf every time they're outplayed in the political chess board.
So yes, let's talk about betrayal. But let's start with the truth. UMNO betrayed its allies in 2020. UMNO tried to betray Sabah's stability in 2023. UMNO formed a government with those they swore they never would. And now UMNO wants to re-write history with itself as the victim?
Sorry, Musliati. In Sabah, people are watching and remembering. And no amount of dramatic media statements can change the facts on the ground. – June 26, 2025