Latest news with #SabahBarisan
The Star
27-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Sabah Barisan has never invited PBS to cooperate, says Bung
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Barisan Nasional firmly denies extending any invitation for political cooperation to Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) ahead of the upcoming state election, calling the party a 'fading shadow of its former self'. Sabah Umno chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin said PBS had rejected something that was never on the table, dismissing recent remarks by its acting president Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam as 'political theatrics'. 'I read with amusement the statement by Datuk Seri Dr Joachim claiming that PBS is rejecting cooperation with Barisan. 'Let me state this clearly, Sabah Barisan has never at any point extended an invitation to PBS to return or collaborate. So the question arises, what exactly are you rejecting?' Bung Moktar asked. In a strongly worded statement on Friday (June 27), Bung Moktar criticised PBS' political standing, suggesting the party was no longer influential or credible. 'Once hailed as a defender of Sabah rights, PBS today is but a fading shadow of its former self. Its political identity has eroded through years of inconsistency, jumping coalitions, shifting allegiances, and betraying partners when convenient,' he said. He accused PBS of attempting to appear relevant by crafting a narrative that Barisan was courting them for cooperation, a claim he described as politically self-serving. 'In reality, PBS has become politically insignificant. It is no longer a leader in Sabah's political scene … merely a passenger clinging to the coattails of other parties in the GRS government,' Bung Moktar added. He stressed that Sabah Barisan is only open to working with partners who are consistent, credible, and principled. 'Sabah Barisan does not pursue alliances with parties that lack a clear political compass or credibility. PBS chose to abandon Barisan in the past for its own expedient interests. That chapter is closed,' he said. Calling for maturity in political discourse, Bung Moktar said PBS should stop 'political hallucinations' and focus on real issues affecting Sabahans today. 'This is not the 1990s. Voters today are informed and discerning. There is no need to fabricate stories of rejecting Barisan when no overtures were ever made,' he said.
Daily Express
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
‘Solo or coalition' decision July
Published on: Wednesday, June 11, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jun 11, 2025 By: Mohd Nazllie Zainul Text Size: Masidi at the launching SMJ Energy's Education CSR Programme at SMK Kanibongan in Pitas, yesterday. Kota Kinabalu: The question of whether the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) will contest solo in the imminent 17th State Election (PRN17) or maintain its partnership with Pakatan Harapan (PH) is expected to be answered by early July at the latest, said GRS Sec-Gen Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun. He said the decision would likely be finalised during the GRS Supreme Council meeting, which is expected to convene either later this month or early next month. Advertisement Masidi also confirmed that although GRS has yet to make an official decision on its election strategy, GRS Chairman cum Sabah's Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Haji Noor has met with leaders of the coalition's component parties and held informal talks with PH leaders. 'We haven't made a final decision yet because the Supreme Council has not met. However, I believe the President has already met with all the component party presidents. 'I'm confident he has also held informal discussions with PH leaders. One thing is certain—if not this month, then by early next month we will know,' he told the media in Pitas on Tuesday. The GRS Supreme Council is composed of the presidents of the coalition's eight component parties: Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat), GRS, PBS, Star Sabah, SAPP, Usno, Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and Parti Cinta Sabah (PCS). 'He (Hajiji) has indicated that GRS is inclined to continue the PH-GRS cooperation, which has formed the foundation of the unity government in both Sabah and Putrajaya. 'If I'm not mistaken, the Chief Minister has repeatedly emphasised his desire for the PH-GRS cooperation to continue in the coming election. 'The main reason is to ensure political stability,' he said. It was reported that Sabah Pakatan may agree to a seat-sharing formula with GRS and Sabah Barisan helmed by Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin. However, GRS and Sabah Barisan are expected to cross swords as there is no love lost between Hajiji and Bung, following a failed attempt by the latter to unseat the GRS government last January. Bung had pulled Sabah Barisan out of the GRS coalition in 2023 after a fallout with Hajiji. Bung is said to be courting other parties like Parti Warisan led by Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal and Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat (KDM) led by Priscella Peter, the daughter of its jailed president Datuk Peter Anthony. But Warisan and KDM do not seem keen on any tie-up, with both publicly stating their intention to go it solo. GRS component parties like Sabah STAR, SAPP and Usno prefer GRS to go solo, although Hajiji was inclined to work with Sabah Pakatan. Warisan has decided to opt out of any pact in Sabah although it is a partner of the federal unity government. Some predict that KDM could seal a pact with either Barisan or Warisan if they get the number and choices of seats, with the party eyeing at least 18 Kadazandusun, Murut and Rungus seats. * 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
The Star
08-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Sabah parties gear up for polls
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah's political parties are gearing up for the 17th state election amid a flurry of possible electoral pacts, but firm deals have yet to materialise. Major players, including the ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and its former ally-turned-rival Barisan Nasional, are preparing to go it alone if ongoing negotiations with potential partners fail. Observers say GRS, led by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, and Sabah Barisan, led by Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, are ready to go it alone if they fail to strike a deal with other political blocs. Parti Warisan, under Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, is staying out of any alliance talks, positioning itself as the alternative to both coalitions with its multiracial party platform. The coming election is expected to be shaped by a growing 'Sabah for Sabahans' sentiment, with voters increasingly drawn to local-based parties championing state rights and autonomy. This political mood has fuelled support for both Warisan and GRS in recent years while putting pressure on national coalitions to localise their campaign narrative. Hajiji, who is seen as preferring to continue cooperation with Sabah Pakatan Harapan (Pakatan), stated yesterday that GRS was ready to face the election, with its machinery fully trained across all constituencies. However, any pact will still require the endorsement of GRS' eight-party coalition. He added that no seat talks had taken place and that any cooperation must go through the GRS Supreme Council. CLICK TO ENLARGE So far, Sabah STAR, led by Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan; SAPP under former chief minister Datuk Yong Teck Lee; and Usno, led by former Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia, have been adamant that GRS should contest all 73 seats on its own. These parties have pushed back against external collaborations for various reasons – Sabah STAR wants internal seat distribution settled first, SAPP rejects the involvement of national parties, and Usno has demanded greater respect and fair seat allocation, warning it may walk away from the coalition if sidelined. Given that at least eight assemblymen, including four ministers from Hajiji's Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (PGRS), are embroiled in a bribery scandal involving mining licence approvals, the ruling coalition must carefully navigate any potential pact with Pakatan to reach a mutually agreeable seat-sharing formula. Any potential deal between GRS and Pakatan is expected to hinge on the local bloc being allowed to contest at least 53 to 55 of the 73 seats at stake. GRS, Sabah Pakatan and Sabah Barisan have not publicly disclosed the seats they are targeting. Some observers believe that even if an agreement is reached, some seats could still be left open to free-for-all contests. Meanwhile, Sabah Pakatan is also exploring a separate seat-sharing formula with Sabah Barisan to remain aligned with the federal-level unity government. At the national level, leaders from both coalitions have expressed support for working together in Sabah. Pakatan chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, speaking at the PKR congress in Johor Baru on May 24, said, 'I have discussed the matter with Barisan Nasional and Umno chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. 'We will work together on the condition that Pakatan Harapan is recognised as a partner to fight for the people of Sabah.' Anwar has appointed Sabah Pakatan chairman cum Upko president Datuk Ewon Benedick to lead coordination efforts for the state election. By placing a Sabahan face at the forefront, Pakatan appears to be repackaging itself to appeal to local sentiments, positioning the coalition as part of Sabah rather than just a federal extension. However, political observers observe that while national leaders are advocating for unity, Sabah leaders seem to be following a different path. GRS comprises eight local parties: PGRS (Gagasan Rakyat), Sabah STAR, SAPP, Usno, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Parti Cinta Sabah (PCS), Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), and Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah (PHRS). Barisan comprises peninsula-based parties such as Umno, MCA and MIC, along with its Sabah component, Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS). Pakatan consists of PKR, DAP, Amanah and Upko. The 17th Sabah state election must be held following the dissolution of the state assembly, which is due by 11 Nov, 2025. Speculation is rife that Hajiji may dissolve the assembly as early as the third week of July, after the official celebration of the Yang di-Pertua Negri's birthday on June 21.
The Star
22-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Jeffrey Kitingan says he is willing to debate Bung on any issue
KOTA KINABALU: Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan says he is ready to accept Sabah Umno chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin's challenge for a debate on any issue, including the 'Sabah for Sabahans' issue. Bung Moktar, who is also Sabah Barisan chairman, issued the challenge when launching Sabah Umno's Gerak17 campaign for the Sepanggar parliamentary constituency. Kitingan, who is Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) deputy chairman, also said the coalition is open to working with any party, but it will ultimately be the people who determine its political alliances. However, he said that the coalition of eight local parties has yet to decide on the matter. "We are willing to work with anyone for the sake of political stability but we have to listen to the people," he said when asked about the possibility of GRS teaming up with the Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional alliance. "The elections are still some time away. For now, let's focus on what is currently on the table," he said. He added that GRS has begun preliminary meetings to discuss seat allocations.
The Star
08-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Broader ‘BN-PH Plus' coalition discussed ahead of Sabah polls, says Zahid
KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional is strengthening its alliance with Pakatan Harapan as it prepares for the upcoming Sabah state election, with discussions extending to a broader coalition tentatively dubbed 'BN-PH Plus', according to Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. The Barisan chairman said the political cooperation in Sabah would be guided by both local Barisan leadership and central leadership to ensure a strong and unified front. "We leave it to the wisdom of Sabah Barisan, with strategic guidance from the federal level, to chart a prudent path toward achieving political dominance through consensus," he told reporters after officiating the 2025 Franchise International Malaysia (FIM) Exhibition and Conference, and the declaration of the Asean Franchise Convention (AFC) 2025 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre here on Thursday (May 8). To a question on cooperation with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), Ahmad Zahid, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, said Barisan remains open to alliances with any political party. "Our principle is to keep our doors wide open, and not to shut them completely,' he said, suggesting that political manoeuvring in Sabah still has ample room for new partnerships. On seat allocations, Ahmad Zahid said it was premature to finalise any decision, noting that detailed negotiations would take place later. Prior to this, Sabah Barisan confirmed plans to contest 40 of the 73 state seats available in the upcoming state election, with the remaining 33 seats allocated to Pakatan. – Bernama
