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Free Malaysia Today
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Sabah Umno at historic low after ‘Kinabalu Move', says analyst
Sabah Umno chief Bung Moktar Radin and fellow Umno leaders at the press conference in January 2023 where the party announced its withdrawal of support for chief minister Hajiji Noor. PETALING JAYA : Sabah Umno may be at its weakest position yet heading into the upcoming state election, following public disagreements between its top two leaders, Bung Moktar Radin and Abdul Rahman Dahlan, according to an analyst. Rahman, who is Sabah Umno deputy chief, had suggested that Barisan Nasional (BN) made a mistake by pulling out of the state government in the 2023 'Kinabalu Move'. Bilcher Bala of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) said Rahman's remarks were likely prompted by a realisation of the party's weak grassroots machinery and organisational structure. 'This highlights how quitting a government without a clear recovery plan can have long-term consequences on voter perception and the party's ability to compete effectively. Bilcher Bala. 'Rahman's view may also reflect growing awareness of Sabah's increasingly complex political landscape, where local parties like Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and Warisan are becoming more dominant, while Umno is seen as carrying 'federal baggage'. 'Sabah Umno is now in the weakest position in its history,' he told FMT. It was reported previously that Bung, the Sabah Umno chief, had advised Rahman to stop dwelling on the past following the latter's comments on the Kinabalu Move. He also maintained that the withdrawal of support for chief minister Hajiji Noor in January 2023 was not his personal call, but a collective decision by the state Umno leadership that was not taken lightly. However, Bilcher said the weakness Sabah Umno is facing does not spell the end for BN's ambitions to contest and win as many of the 73 Sabah assembly seats as possible, provided it can craft a new narrative that resonates with the voters. 'Despite the disagreements, both leaders still operate within the party's formal leadership structure, and Bung himself has said such differences are normal in any party. 'If Umno can unite its grassroots machinery, forge strategic alliances with other parties, and offer a relevant manifesto, there's still a chance for an upset. But it won't be easy,' he said. Bung and Rahman have clashed on several occasions over the past few years, including last year after Rahman invited Hajiji to a divisional meeting also attended by Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. In March, they traded barbs again over where Rahman may be fielded as a candidate in the state election. But Bung has played this down to mere 'differences in opinion' which he said was a normal process in bolstering the state chapter and had not led to outright division. Lee Kuok Tiung. Another UMS academic, Lee Kuok Tiung, said being in government is a clear advantage, which is why Pakatan Harapan (PH) agreed to join the Sabah administration after the Kinabalu Move. He noted that some Umno assemblymen joined GRS, while others, led by Bung, remained in the opposition. 'Looking at the 14 seats BN won in the 16th state election (in 2020), it's clear there's been a split,' he said. Awang Azman Awang Pawi. However, Awang Azman Awang Pawi of Universiti Malaya said there is still hope for Sabah Umno despite its fragile current state as it continues to have a strong grassroots base. 'Rahman himself acknowledged that Umno's grassroots machinery remains strong despite the difficult situation. 'This is a crucial foundation for mobilising during the campaign period, though more efforts must be made to strengthen the party's machinery,' he said.
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
‘We are not prisoners of the past': Bung Moktar says Sabah Umno focused on future ahead of state polls, not 2022 drama
KOTA KINABALU, July 18 — Sabah Umno chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin says the party is focused on moving forward, despite attempts to revive old political narratives ahead of the state election. He said this in response to recent remarks by former minister Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan, who had touched on events that unfolded in 2022. 'As a senior leader in Umno and my long-time friend, Datuk Rahman has every right to express his personal views. In a party that believes in democracy, such openness is part of our political maturity,' Bung said in a statement. He said the differences of opinion that arose between them back then were normal in politics. 'What matters is how we resolve them. Datuk Rahman knows that the decision taken at the time was not personal, but the result of a collective leadership consensus in Sabah Umno after careful consideration of all implications,' Bung added, stressing that the episode is now behind them. 'We respect the past, but we are not prisoners of it,' he said. He also took a swipe at certain quarters in the media, accusing them of trying to spin the old issue for their own narrative. 'Let me be clear. Sabah Umno is united, focused and fully committed as one team heading into the coming state election (PRN17). 'We are ready with solid grassroots machinery, renewed energy and a clear agenda to restore dignity and deliver effective governance under a strong national leadership,' he said. He added that in today's political landscape whether in Sabah, Malaysia, or globally the public values leaders who offer solutions, not those who remain stuck in the past. 'That is why Sabah Umno chooses to be part of the solution, part of the future,' he said. — The Borneo Post
Daily Express
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
UMS water crisis expected to end by July says Rahman Dahlan
Published on: Tuesday, June 24, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jun 24, 2025 By: Hayati Dzulkifli Text Size: KOTA KINABALU: UMS Board Chairman Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan says the university's water crisis should be resolved by mid-July once the final 2km of piping from the Telibong 2 Plant is completed. The plant, operational but not yet connected, can supply over 80 million litres daily. Delays stem from Pan Borneo Highway construction. RM5 million from the Federal Government is being used for short-term fixes like tube wells. 'UMS is meant to produce graduates, not water,' he remarked. Advertisement * 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
Free Malaysia Today
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
At times, stability trumps wanting to always win, says Sabah Umno No 2
Sabah Umno deputy chief Abdul Rahman Dahlan, who is said to be keen on rebuilding ties with GRS, has clashed with state Umno chairman Bung Moktar Radin several times now. (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA : Sabah Umno deputy chief Abdul Rahman Dahlan has made a cryptic post on 'stability' and 'wanting to always be the victor' amid speculation over the party's alliances for the upcoming Sabah election. 'There are times when stability is far more important than wanting to be seen as the victor in every clash. Choose the right approach to confrontations,' the former Kota Belud MP said in a Facebook post. Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Harapan (PH) have announced a pact for the state election, while talks were said to be ongoing to rope Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) into the alliance. However, last week, Sabah Umno chief Bung Moktar Radin said the state chapter will not work with GRS for the polls. He added that any possible cooperation will only be considered after the outcome of the state election. GRS chairman Hajiji Noor, who is also Sabah chief minister, said the ruling state coalition has yet to decide on its alliances for the election. Last month, Hajiji said the existing alliance between GRS and PH, both of which form the state government, should be continued in the state election. Bung and his Sabah Umno deputy have clashed several times in the past few years, with Rahman said to be keen on rebuilding ties between his party and GRS. While Sabah Umno and GRS used to be allies in the state government, Bung led his party in retracting support for Hajiji as chief minister in January 2023. Sabah PH then gave Hajiji its backing to allow him to stay on as chief minister.
Free Malaysia Today
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Bung brushes off differences with Rahman as ‘normal'
Sabah Umno chief Bung Mokhar Radin (left) said differences with his deputy, Abdul Rahman Dahlan, have not led to 'full-blown discord'. PETALING JAYA : Sabah Umno chief Bung Moktar Radin admits that there are differences in opinion between him and his deputy, Abdul Rahman Dahlan, but says this is a normal process in bolstering the state chapter. Bung, a former deputy chief minister, said their differences have not led to outright division within Sabah Umno. 'It's true that there exists differences of opinion in Sabah Umno, but you will find that in any political party. The difference is that, in Sabah Umno, our differences do not lead to full-blown discord. 'As the state Umno chairman, I celebrate differences in opinions. That's why if there are such views, I choose not to respond in public even if I disagree with them. 'Instead, I respond during internal discussions. And when a decision is agreed upon, we all respect it,' he told FMT. Bung and Rahman locked horns last year after Rahman invited Gabungan Rakyat Sabah chairman Hajiji Noor to a divisional meeting also attended by Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. In March, they clashed again over where Rahman may be fielded as a candidate in the state election. Rahman hinted at stepping aside if Umno decided not to nominate him for the polls. Bung responded cynically by saying Sabah Umno was prepared to field him as a candidate in Sulaman, the seat held by Hajiji, the chief minister, since 1990. On Sunday, Zahid said there were 'no more factions' in Sabah Umno and that internal disputes were among the reasons why they lost previous general elections. Bung said Sabah BN was focused on preparing for the upcoming state election and did not want to be distracted by other parties claiming that Sabah Umno was torn in two. 'When we go to the ground to meet the grassroots and Umno supporters, these claims that are circulating around aren't even on their minds. What they want is for BN to mobilise its machinery and ensure BN returns to governing Sabah,' he said.
