logo
LDP urges GRS not to align with BN-Umno in state polls

LDP urges GRS not to align with BN-Umno in state polls

Daily Express8 hours ago
Published on: Sunday, July 13, 2025
Published on: Sun, Jul 13, 2025 Text Size: Chin chairs the party's supreme council meeting. KOTA KINABALU: Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has urged Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) to avoid collaborating with Barisan Nasional (BN)-Umno in the upcoming 17th Sabah state election. LDP president Datuk Chin Su Phin said it is vital for any winning coalition to maintain a good working relationship with the federal government, currently led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim under Pakatan Harapan (PH). He noted that GRS is expected to negotiate seat distribution with PH, but emphasised the need for PH to show sincerity in the partnership, suggesting it should not contest more than 20 seats. Chin also warned that if PH and GRS fail to reach a consensus, both may contest independently and only discuss forming a new state government after the polls. He urged Chinese voters to support GRS for continued political stability and economic growth, warning that backing Parti Warisan could leave them sidelined if the party fails to form the government. * 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
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Perikatan's rejection makes things easier, says GRS' Armizan
Perikatan's rejection makes things easier, says GRS' Armizan

The Star

timean 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.

Sabah O&G reform rooted in restructuring: Chia
Sabah O&G reform rooted in restructuring: Chia

Daily Express

timean hour ago

  • Daily Express

Sabah O&G reform rooted in restructuring: Chia

Published on: Sunday, July 13, 2025 Published on: Sun, Jul 13, 2025 Text Size: KOTA KINABALU: Political Secretary to the Chief Minister, Datuk Dr Roland Chia ( pic ), has dismissed recent remarks by former SOGDC CEO Abdul Kadir Abdullah Damsal, saying they misrepresent Sabah's current oil and gas progress. He said Sabah International Petroleum (SIP) was in financial distress before the GRS administration restructured it to safeguard state interests and create SMJ Energy (SMJE) to deliver long-term value. Chia added that the Sipitang Oil and Gas Industrial Park (Sogip) is now gaining investor confidence, with a major RM31 billion commitment from Esteel Enterprise Sdn Bhd highlighting the shift. He noted that since the Commercial Collaboration Agreement (CCA), SMJE has secured equity in key oil and gas blocks, while Sabah Energy Corporation (SEC) has obtained onshore gas distribution rights and over RM2 billion in contracts awarded to Sabah-based firms this year alone. Responding to claims regarding SMJE's absence from a recent oil and gas bid, Chia clarified that Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun's State Assembly response was factual and not a personal attack, stressing that Sabah's energy institutions are now empowered and led by Sabahans. * 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

National Consumer Policy 2.0 to be finalised by year-end: Armizan
National Consumer Policy 2.0 to be finalised by year-end: Armizan

Daily Express

timean hour ago

  • Daily Express

National Consumer Policy 2.0 to be finalised by year-end: Armizan

Published on: Sunday, July 13, 2025 Published on: Sun, Jul 13, 2025 By: Bernama Text Size: Armizan speaks at the festival. PENAMPANG: The drafting of the National Consumer Policy (DPN) 2.0 is in its final phase and is expected to be finalised by year-end, said Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali. He said DPN 2.0 would serve as the main reference for all stakeholders in implementing consumer-related initiatives and programmes nationwide from 2026 to 2030. Armizan said the policy would also outline the roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders, including those indirectly involved with consumer affairs. 'The relationship between these various stakeholders is crucial to ensuring effective implementation of consumer protection laws and the dissemination of accurate, comprehensive information to help create empowered Malaysian consumers,' he said in his speech at the 2025 Consumerism Festival here today. Themed 'Semarak Konsumerisme', the three-day festival, which concluded today, marked the highlight of the 2025 National Consumer Day celebration and drew participation from school and university students nationwide. The programme was organised as a key platform to gather recommendations and views on DPN 2.0, which will serve as part of the input in finalising the formulation of the consumer policy. Armizan said DPN 2.0 was also designed to enhance preparedness in addressing current challenges within the consumer ecosystem, including weaknesses in regulatory and enforcement aspects, as well as low consumer literacy levels that were prone to exploitation. He said other challenges included the use of products that did not comply with safety standards or were not environmentally friendly, fraudulent transactions, and the misuse of digital technology, particularly artificial intelligence. According to him, DPN 2.0 would also place emphasis on cost of living issues through an inclusive and responsive approach, including the implementation of the Payung Rahmah Madani Programme, broader use of the Ihsan Madani Portal as a reference for price and essential goods information, and the application of cost of living indicators to guide consumer spending. Meanwhile, Armizan said the Kita Pengguna Squad (Skip) would be mobilised as a bridge between the government and the people in addressing consumerism issues in a more responsive and inclusive manner, forming the foundation for the effective implementation of DPN 2.0. He said the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living aimed to register 25,000 Skip members by the end of the year to strengthen its role in driving consumerism advocacy nationwide. * 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

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store