Latest news with #SabahBN
Free Malaysia Today
22-06-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
‘Sabahan No 1' not an empty slogan, says Salleh
Sabah BN treasurer Salleh Said Keruak said the state party moved in tandem with the federal unity government. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : 'Sabahan No 1' is not an empty slogan for Barisan Nasional as it represents the party's struggle to give priority to the interests of the people of Sabah, according to Sabah BN treasurer Salleh Said Keruak. Speaking to Umno members in Benoni, he said BN relied on hard work and perseverance, rather than populist sentiment or material inducements, with 'not just promises, but actual delivery'. Salleh, who is state assemblyman for Usukan, said: 'We don't come with money, but with spirit and hard work.' His remarks come a week after Sabah chief minister Hajiji Noor reiterated his stance that local parties should lead and dominate Sabah politics. While he acknowledged cooperation with national parties, Hajiji maintained that ultimate political control should remain in the hands of Sabahans themselves. Salleh, who has previously asserted that the struggle for the state's rights is not the domain of any one party but of all Sabahans, said Sabah BN moved in tandem with the federal unity coalition government, to ensure Sabah had a decisive voice in national affairs. Last week, Sabah BN chairman Bung Moktar Radin called for a straight contest between BN and the ruling coalition GRS at the next state elections. He said cooperation could be considered after the elections. GRS deputy secretary-general Armizan Mohd Ali said that Bung's proposal was reasonable and should be honoured as the only way to resolve the conflict between the two coalition parties.
Free Malaysia Today
22-06-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
No coalition partner should act like ‘big brother', says Salleh
Sabah BN treasurer Salleh Said Keruak, a former chief minister, said the new formula was about 'political accommodation' and not merely power-sharing. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : No party in Barisan Nasional should act like a 'big brother', Sabah BN treasurer Salleh Said Keruak said today, revealing that the coalition was looking into a new formula for power-sharing in the state government. Salleh, a former chief minister, said Sabah BN was exploring a new formula that would ensure fair political representation among the state's diverse communities, the New Straits Times reported. The new formula was not just about power-sharing, but 'political accommodation,' he was quoted as saying. 'We feel that in any coalition, no party should act like a 'big brother'. We need a formula that can satisfy everyone.' When asked what formula he had in mind, Salleh said Sabah BN would use past models as a guide. He said previously Bumiputeras were divided into Muslims and non-Muslims. 'We should discuss (the matter) so that we can consider Bumiputera to mean both Muslim Bumiputera and non-Muslim Bumiputera.' Salleh also said BN was preparing a draft commitment for Sabahans to tackle the state's fundamental issues, which he personally pledged to lead.
Daily Express
15-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
Sabah BN ready to face GRS: Bung
Published on: Monday, June 16, 2025 Published on: Mon, Jun 16, 2025 By: Abbey Junior Text Size: Bung said past alliances that lacked sincerity only led to weak, inconsistent governments that failed to inspire public confidence. Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) is open to a democratic clash with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) in the coming state election, but says it won't enter into alliances just to prop up weak and insincere governments. Its Chairman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin said Sabah BN does not need to wait for signals from other parties before stating its position or taking action. Advertisement 'The statement reflects the normal dynamics in a multi-party democracy, where different players operate in the same space but with different foundations of legitimacy and structure,' he said. He was responding to GRS Deputy Secretary-General Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, who had voiced support for a straight fight between GRS and BN in the coming Sabah polls — mirroring Bung's earlier suggestion for both coalitions to go head-to-head at the polls. 'If viewed positively, it is a healthy sign of competition in ideas and policy,' Bung said. However, he stressed that cooperation must be built on trust and honesty, not just on paper agreements. 'BN does not reject political cooperation outright. But we will only work with those who are honest, not just in signing agreements, but in implementing policies, respecting the role of partners and upholding the integrity of the political system,' he said. 'Political cooperation without honesty is like building a house on mud — it may stand for a while, but it will eventually collapse under pressure. BN has learned this lesson, and so have the people.' Bung said past alliances that lacked sincerity only led to weak, inconsistent governments that failed to inspire public confidence. 'To GRS, if you are truly ready for a democratic contest, we welcome it,' he said. 'Clashing at the ballot box is not something to fear. It is the best way to prove who really holds the people's trust, based on genuine strength, not borrowed support or shortcuts.' Bung also called on Sabahans, especially younger and politically aware voters, to reassess their choices as the State heads into its next election. 'Sabah BN does not come with mere slogans. We have a track record of leading the State towards development. We have also been tested. ' Now, we return with the determination to improve, not to repeat. 'In politics, legitimacy doesn't come from the number of seats alone, but from the people's trust in our sincerity.' * 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
New Straits Times
15-06-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Bung to Armizan: Sabah BN won't wait for 'green light' from others
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) is ready to face Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) in the upcoming state election, stressing that it does not rely on "green lights" from others to make political decisions. Sabah BN chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin said the coalition welcomed healthy democratic competition and would only engage in political cooperation based on sincerity and mutual respect. "We do not wait for signals from any party to determine our position or course of action. "More importantly, this issue must be viewed in the broader context of political legitimacy, strategic autonomy, and sincerity in cooperation. "BN is not against cooperation. But we do not want partnerships that merely serve to boost numbers or lend legitimacy to a fragile rule," said Bung, who is also the Sabah Umno liaison committee chairman, in a statement. The Lamag assemblyman was responding to a statement by GRS deputy secretary-general Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, who said yesterday that the Sabah-based coalition should face BN in the coming state polls. The domestic trade and cost of living minister had said that a contest between the two coalitions would allow the people to decide who they wanted to govern the state. Bung added that if GRS was indeed ready to compete democratically, Sabah BN welcomed the challenge. "In a democracy, contests are not to be feared. "They present opportunities to determine who truly has the people's trust, based on real strength, not borrowed support or shortcuts." He stressed that Sabah BN would not shape its political direction based on the statements of others, and that past experience had made the coalition wary of entering political alliances lightly. "Cooperation without sincerity is like building a house on mud. It may stand briefly but will collapse under pressure. We have learned our lesson. "The people have also witnessed how alliances without sincerity result in weak, inconsistent, and unconvincing governments. "In politics, legitimacy is not defined by seat numbers alone, but by the people's trust in the sincerity of one's struggle."
Malay Mail
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Sabah Umno clarifies cautious stance on coalitions, vows not to repeat past mistakes
KOTA KINABALU, June 12 — Sabah Umno has clarified that Barisan Nasional's (BN) current political stance should not be interpreted as a complete rejection of cooperation with other parties, but rather a cautious approach shaped by past experiences. In a statement released by Sabah Umno information chief Datuk Suhaimi Nasir, the party reiterated that BN is not closing its doors to political collaboration. However, any decision to form a coalition must be rooted in the people's interests, the need for state stability and lessons drawn from past political developments, especially those surrounding the 16th state election (PRN16). The statement comes in response to Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) secretary-general Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun's statement recently, saying the coalition shares the same sentiment regarding Sabah BN's reluctance to team up in PRN17. However, Masidi said they have not made a firm decision on the matter until the Supreme Council meeting, which is expected to take place either this month or early July. 'During the last state election, certain political collaborations led to unfavourable consequences for BN, particularly in terms of integrity, trust and a shared political direction,' Suhaimi said. 'This is not merely about ideological differences, but also about political sincerity and consistency in leadership,' he added. He emphasised that Sabah Umno and BN's current approach is to assess any potential alliance objectively, rationally and strategically, without haste or in response to short-term political demands. 'We will not repeat past mistakes, nor will we allow Sabah Umno to once again be placed in a political position that sidelines the voices of our grassroots members,' Suhaimi added. He also stressed that determining Sabah's future should not be reduced to a numbers game of how many parties can come together at the negotiating table. Instead, it must be about forming a coalition that can ensure long-term stability, integrity and development for the people. Sabah Umno and BN's decision to adopt a more cautious stance, Suhaimi said, is a constructive step, not a confrontational one. — The Borneo Post
