One test down for Hajiji but another on the horizon, says analyst
PETALING JAYA : While Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) chairman Hajiji Noor has passed one test on managing tensions among the coalition's components over their standing in the upcoming state polls, more challenges await, an analyst says.
Bilcher Bala of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) said the ability to manage a tense situation hinged on several factors including charisma, communication skills, and the ability to instil confidence.
'Developing trust and loyalty (among the components) is also vital,' he told FMT.
However, he said Hajiji would still have to face the 'complicated' seat negotiations process which would require the eight components to agree on the 73 state seats up for grabs.
This would be more so if GRS joined forces with Pakatan Harapan or Barisan Nasional (BN), he added.
GRS comprises Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah, Parti Bersatu Sabah, Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR), the Sabah Progressive Party, Usno, Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah, the Liberal Democratic Party, and Parti Cinta Sabah.
'Each party will have its own aspirations and demands, so Hajiji will have to ensure a fair and strategic distribution to avoid discontent which could threaten unity in the coalition,' Bilcher said.
Yesterday, Hajiji announced that the GRS component parties had pledged their collective commitment to winning the next Sabah election for the state ruling coalition.
Hajiji, the Sabah chief minister, said he appreciated the trust shown by the party leaders during the three-hour meeting.
The meeting followed remarks by GRS deputy chief Jeffrey Kitingan, who said on Monday that the coalition must improve the way it operates.
This was after Usno president Pandikar Amin Mulia said his party had been ignored by some GRS leaders after demanding seats to contest in the state polls.
Kitingan, the STAR president, said every GRS component party had the right to be treated with respect, whether or not they held seats in the state assembly.
He also proposed that GRS's Supreme Council hold regular meetings to address Pandikar's concerns.
Fellow UMS analyst Romzi Ationg however said that the spat was only the beginning of GRS's problems.
'Media reports make it seem like all is well, but for me, it is just the beginning,' he said.
'What if Hajiji is forced to work with parties that are disliked by the other components?'
He added that several GRS components were eyeing state seats, including that of Bengkoka which was won by BN in the last state election, and Bandau, which is currently represented by Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
43 minutes ago
- The Star
Malaysia succeeds in attracting RM8.13bil potential investments from Italy
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. ROME: Potential investments worth RM8.13 billion have been achieved through the Malaysia-Italy economic cooperation roundtable meeting and meetings with companies here, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The roundtable meeting involved the participation of 41 Italian companies and agencies, comprising 23 companies from the manufacturing sector, nine companies from the service sector, two companies from the trade sector as well as five government agencies and two industrial organisations. "The potential investments achieved through these two meetings are worth RM8.13 billion in the petrochemical, machinery and equipment, electrical and electronics, and oil and gas services and equipment sectors,' he said at a press conference at the end of his visit to Rome, Italy. Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, said the potential exports generated were worth RM425 million for oleochemical products, renewable energy, biofuel feedstocks, animal feed additives and food. The roundtable meeting allowed potential companies in Italy an opportunity to express their desire to collaborate with Malaysian companies in various sectors such as high-tech manufacturing, renewable energy, digital economy and sustainable infrastructure. Meanwhile, Anwar said that in a bilateral meeting with his counterpart Giorgia Meloni, Rome and Putrajaya would increase cooperation in the energy, solar, geothermal and hydrogen sectors. Among the collaborations are the Petronas and Eni SpA joint venture in Pengerang, Johor in the sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) sector; Perodua and Magna Styer for electric vehicle batteries; and collaboration and investment in the modernisation of the electricity grid, including the ASEAN Power Grid (APG). In the discussion, the Prime Minister said he also applied for recognition of the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification from Italy, in addition to requesting support for a fairer assessment of the European Union Deforestation-Free Products Regulation (EUDR) Implementation. Malaysia aims to be in the low-risk category in the EUDR benchmark system when the rating is reviewed by 2026. Meanwhile, Malaysia has also sought Italy's support in concluding negotiations on the Malaysia-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The Prime Minister arrived here on Tuesday for a three-day working visit to Italy, the third largest economy in the EU. The visit was at the invitation of Meloni. Throughout the visit, Anwar was accompanied by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Transport Minister Anthony Loke, Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin and Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz. Also joining the delegation was Deputy Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir. In 2024, total trade between Malaysia and Italy recorded an increase of two per cent to US$3.18 billion (RM14.61 billion) compared to the same period in 2023. For the period from January to May 2025, total trade between the two countries continued to show positive performance with an increase of 3.3 per cent to US$1.48 billion (RM6.5 billion) compared to the same period in 2024. The Prime Minister departed for France for an official visit on July 3 and 4 after concluding his visit to Italy. - Bernama
Free Malaysia Today
2 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
C4 links NGO impropriety to regulatory, oversight gaps
C4's CEO Pushpan Murugiah wants the government to implement reforms to improve the governance of NGOs and charitable bodies. PETALING JAYA : A lack of consistent regulation and oversight has left charitable organisations vulnerable to transparency lapses and misconduct, an anti-graft watchdog has warned. Pushpan Murugiah, CEO of the Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4), said this has resulted in several NGOs and charitable bodies being mired in scandals. He cited Aman Palestin Berhad and Yayasan Akalbudi, both established to serve charitable causes, as 'notable' examples. In February last year, two Aman Palestin executives and a company director claimed trial to a total of 164 charges involving money laundering, criminal breach of trust (CBT) and cheating. Deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was also charged with corruption, CBT and money laundering of Yayasan Akalbudi funds but secured a conditional discharge in September 2023. 'There is an inherent risk that not just 'pro-business' groups, but NGOs as a whole can be used as vehicles to facilitate corruption and money laundering,' Pushpan told FMT. He was asked to comment on the deregistration of Ikhlas, a society for small-time entrepreneurs, after it failed to submit its annual financial statements. On Sunday, the Malaysian Muslim Consumers Association announced that it would no longer work with Ikhlas after finding out that it was deregistered in 2022. Pushpan said there was no specific law to govern 'NGOs' and 'charitable bodies', adding that there was ambiguity around the definition of those terms. Instead, he said many NGOs are registered under different legal frameworks—some as societies under the Societies Act 1966 and others as companies limited by guarantee under the Companies Act 2016. 'The lack of legal clarity as to who is responsible for governing charitable bodies allows many bad actors to escape accountability and oversight for their actions,' he added. Pushpan called for the government to improve the governance of these bodies and mooted the establishment of a single oversight body to govern their activities. He said the setting up of such a body—alongside other needed reforms like a Political Financing Act, transparent beneficial ownership rules, and a Procurement Act— would ensure that charitable bodies are not abused for corrupt purposes. 'This is especially so when it comes to organisations that have ties to political parties or politicians,' he said. Salim Bashir. Lawyer Salim Bashir called for laws which would compel NGOs to disclose the sources of their income and the manner in which their funds are managed. 'The government must consider establishing an oversight body like the UK Charity Commission to monitor NGOs' activities or to attend to complaints against unlawful acts that are deemed to be detrimental to public safety and economic security,' he said, according to a report by Scoop. Rajesh Nagarajan. Fellow lawyer Rajesh Nagarajan said NGOs play a vital role in nation-building and should be subject to proportionate checks and balances—particularly in areas when public trust and commercial interests intersect. He suggested that businesses consult the various chambers of commerce and trade associations to verify the existence and reputation of NGOs, particularly lesser-known ones, prior to making their contributions. Such a step would prevent companies from being inadvertently connected to any fraudulent fundraising efforts. 'Engage lawyers early when facing suspicious donation requests or threats cloaked under 'activism' to avoid reputational and financial damage,' he said, when contacted by FMT.
Free Malaysia Today
2 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
RM8.13bil in potential investments from Italy trip, says Anwar
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim with Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni at Chigi Palace in Rome. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia has secured RM8.13 billion in potential investments following an economic roundtable and meetings during his three-day official visit to Italy which concluded today. Bernama reported that the potential investments span the petrochemical, machinery and equipment, electrical and electronics, and oil and gas services sectors. Anwar met representatives from 23 companies in manufacturing, nine in services, five government agencies, two industry groups, and two trade organisations during his trip. The engagements are expected to generate RM425 million in potential exports involving oleochemical products, renewable energy, biofuel feedstock, animal feed additives, and food products. During a bilateral meeting with Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni, both leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation in energy, solar power, geothermal, and hydrogen sectors. Notable collaborations include a Petronas–Eni SpA joint venture in Johor on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), a partnership between Perodua and Magna Steyr on electric vehicle batteries, and investment in modernising Malaysia's electricity grid, including links to the Asean Power Grid. Anwar also urged Italy to recognise the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification, requested Italian support for a fairer implementation of the EU Deforestation-Free Products Regulation (EUDR), and expressed Malaysia's aim to be classified as 'low risk' in the EU's deforestation benchmark by 2026. He also sought Italy's support to conclude the Malaysia-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations. Malaysia–Italy trade rose 2% to US$3.18 billion (RM14.61 billion) last year. Meanwhile, Anwar said Malaysia intends to purchase maritime patrol aircraft, helicopters and naval vessels from Italy to bolster its national security capabilities. Bernama reported that the acquisition would include two maritime patrol aircraft, as well as 28 Leonardo AW149 helicopters, while Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri is expected to supply multi-role support ships and littoral mission ships. Anwar said these defence assets would help strengthen Malaysia's long-standing bilateral ties with Italy, which is renowned for its advanced military industry. Anwar arrived in Rome on Tuesday for a maiden official visit at Meloni's invitation. Anwar is also visiting France and Brazil, as part of Malaysia's ongoing efforts to strengthen bilateral relations and promote economic cooperation at the global level. Among others, Anwar is scheduled to meet with French president Emmanuel Macron.
