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New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Bung Mokhtar: Sabah BN unperturbed by GRS-PH alliance for state election
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) is not perturbed by Gabungan Rakyat Sabah's (GRS) decision to work with Pakatan Harapan (PH) in the upcoming state election. Sabah BN chairman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin said the party is instead focusing on strengthening its grassroots machinery and fielding candidates in constituencies where it has the best chance of winning. "Umno Sabah is not too concerned with whom GRS wants to work. As of now, BN is only cooperating with PH. "Our priority is to strengthen our machinery at the grassroots level, and we will field our candidates in constituencies where we are confident of winning," he told the New Straits Times. Bung Mokhtar added that BN was prepared for any electoral battle. The former state deputy chief minister said it does not matter whom the coalition would face or go up against. "What matters is that we are ready to defend our existing seats, and on top of that, we aim to win back those we previously lost," he said. His statement comes amid confirmation from Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor that GRS will maintain its alliance with PH for the 17th Sabah state election, despite calls for the Sabah-based coalition to contest solo. Hajiji said both coalitions have held seat negotiation talks, including discussions with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also PH chairman. GRS has 38 state seats, Parti Warisan 14, Umno 11 and PH 7. Umno's seats include Bengkoka, Usukan, Karambunai, Tanjung Keramat, Pantai Manis, Sungai Manila, Sungai Sibuga, Lamag, Sukau, Segama and Tanjung Batu.
Free Malaysia Today
5 days 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
6 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
The Star
7 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Sabah Umno to focus on unity and upcoming state election
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Umno is focusing its efforts on winning the upcoming state election, known as PRN17, prioritising unity and a clear purpose over past disputes. Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, leader of both Sabah Barisan Nasional and Umno, asserted the party's readiness with strong grassroots machinery, renewed energy, and a clear agenda aimed at restoring effective governance under strong national leadership. "Our mission is singular and urgent, to win the state election. And 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 stated on Thursday (July 17). Addressing recent remarks by fellow Sabah Umno leader Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan, Bung Moktar emphasised that while differing opinions exist, the party's focus should remain on the future rather than past events. He noted that Abdul Rahman had referenced events from 2022, reflecting past internal differences, but clarified that the decisions then were made through collective consensus. "Politics naturally involves differences. What matters is how we resolve them. That episode is behind us. We respect the past, but we are not prisoners of it," he said. Bung Moktar also criticised certain media outlets for reviving old narratives for their own purposes. "Let me be clear, Sabah Umno is united, focused, and fully committed as one team heading into PRN17," he added. He reiterated the party's dedication to providing real solutions that address the people's needs, rather than getting entangled in old political drama. "In today's political landscape, whether in Sabah, Malaysia, or globally, the public values those who offer solutions, not those stuck in the past. That is why Sabah Umno chooses to be part of the solution, part of the future," he concluded.
Daily Express
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
Bung rules out election talks with GRS
Published on: Tuesday, July 15, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jul 15, 2025 Text Size: 'So I do not care about this GRS,' said Bung. KINABATANGAN: Sabah Umno Chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin reiterated his stance of not entering into any negotiations with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) ahead of the coming 17th state election. He said as far as Umno was concerned, many GRS leaders could not be trusted and had breached signed agreements. Advertisement Asked about GRS' direction for the polls, Bung said if the coalition has decided, it should just go ahead and say so without further twists and turns. 'It's not that difficult. I have said many times, I do not trust and have no confidence in GRS,' he said, adding that leaders who jump from one party to another are traitors who only think for themselves, and would eventually betray the people. 'So I do not care about this GRS,' said Bung. Over the weekend, there was a growing push from grassroots supporters in Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) and Sabah Star for the ruling coalition to go into the polls on its own. With the Sabah State Legislative Assembly due to be dissolved by Nov 11, political parties have been locked in discussions over possible electoral pacts. The situation remains fluid amid local political rivalries and a groundswell of support for Sabah to regain its autonomous rights through local parties. GRS is in a coalition with Sabah Pakatan Harapan in the State Government, while Barisan Nasional remains in the opposition in Sabah. Sabah Barisan and Sabah Pakatan are discussing an electoral pact, while Hajiji is keen to work with Sabah Pakatan, without Barisan. * 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
