Latest news with #SabahUmno
Malay Mail
a day ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
‘If you remove me, Sabah Umno will shut down': Bung Moktar denies exit rumours, wants to be CM
KOTA KINABALU, June 27 — Sabah Umno chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin has dismissed rumours of stepping aside in the coming state election. Speaking to Malay Mail recently, Bung said that not only would he defend his Lamag state assembly seat, he also had his eyes firmly set on becoming chief minister. 'How to be chief minister if I don't contest?' he said with a laugh, brushing off speculation that he was making way for his son to run in Lamag. Bung warned that any attempt to sideline him would jeopardise the party's revival in Sabah. 'If you remove me, Umno Sabah will shut down,' said the six-term Kinabatangan MP. 'I rebuilt Sabah Umno' Often characterised in national politics by his brash style, Bung insisted he had done the heavy lifting to restore Umno's footing in Sabah after the party's collapse in 2018, when many of its elected representatives and leaders left to join Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia. 'Before the exodus, we had around 530,000 members. It dropped to 400,000 after the 2018 crisis. Today, it's 615,000. That's what I've rebuilt in seven years,' he said when speaking to Malay Mail recently. He said he had initially been reluctant to take the helm, but agreed on the condition that he would be allowed to lead without interference. 'I told the president — if I do this, you have to trust me,' he said, referring to Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. Internal tensions and party unity Bung said he has faced stiff resistance within the party, including from former Sabah Umno chief Tun Musa Aman, now the state governor, and other factions uneasy with his ties to opposition leader Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal. Both were alleged to be involved in the failed 'Kinabalu Move' in 2023 — an attempt to unseat Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. Bung also addressed his strained relationship with his deputy, Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan, who is seen as more aligned with the GRS-led government having been appointed to the board of University Malaysia Sabah and chairman of the Sabah Oil and Gas Development Corporation. 'We've spoken. I think it's settled for now. I trust he will act in the party's interest.' Abdul Rahman has publicly criticised Bung's decisions and even invited Hajiji to a divisional event attended by Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi — reportedly against Bung's wishes. Bung said Abdul Rahman is unlikely to be fielded as a candidate in the next state polls, noting the only possible seat for him would be Sulaman — Hajiji's stronghold since 1990. 'If he wants to contest, he can contest in Sulaman,' Bung quipped. Still, Bung acknowledged the challenge of managing internal candidate jostling. 'Everyone wants to be a candidate — especially division chiefs. But we must choose those most likely to win. Of course, not everyone will be happy,' he said when asked about his concern heading into the election. 'BN still right for Sabah' Bung remained a staunch critic of the GRS administration, accusing it of failing to deliver on basic infrastructure despite boasting record reserves. 'BN is a good party. But maybe we didn't have a leader who really understood the rakyat. I'm from the kampung. I know what the people need and I can deliver,' he said. He said rhetoric from local-based parties was limited to certain areas and did not resonate in rural constituencies, where basic needs remain unmet. 'They don't care about sentiments like local versus national politics or mining scandals,' he said. 'What they want is water supply during Raya, roads to their kebun, electricity to cook with, the internet... I know how to deliver that.' He said that during his two-year stint as works minister he had tried to solve the water supply issue by privatising water supply — a controversial idea in the state, where public utilities remain under government control. 'Sabah is one of the only states where water hasn't been privatised. I know it's not popular, but it can work,' he said. 'Yes, some will have to pay more — but we can have a tiered tariff system to be fair. 'For households using under RM30 per month – no need to pay at all. Those who use more, will pay more,' he added. No going back to GRS After what he described as betrayal and sabotage by former allies in GRS, Bung has ruled out any pre-election cooperation with the coalition — despite Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's vision of a three-way alliance between PH, BN, and GRS. PH would be a viable partner given its urban base and its popularity in Chinese-majority areas. 'PH is a good partner. But GRS? No. There's just too much bad history,' he said. He said he is aware that BN's ability to lead in the state again depends on how many seats it can win — ideally 30 to 40 — to avoid needing GRS's support to form government and be chief minister. 'That's why we have to win big. Everyone says they have the best chance. So let's see. 'We'll cross that bridge when we get there,' he said.
Free Malaysia Today
2 days ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Sabah Umno open to working with GRS, but only if it's sincere
Sabah Umno chief Bung Moktar Radin said overlapping seat claims with GRS in areas such as Pantai Dalit and Tanjong Keramat were a major hurdle to cooperation. PETALING JAYA : Sabah Umno is open to working with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) in the upcoming state election, but only if the ruling coalition is sincere in its approach to seat negotiations, says its chief Bung Moktar Radin. Claiming GRS tended to change its stance once an agreement had been reached, Bung said: 'We are still open to working with any local party, but they must be sincere. We don't want insincerity. 'What I mean by insincerity is that we agree on something today, then tomorrow they change their stand or change their decision on seats or put their candidates as independents for seats which we are contesting,' Bung told FMT. Bung said overlapping seat claims in places such as Pantai Dalit and Tanjong Keramat were making negotiations harder. 'That's why GRS has to be sincere when it negotiates with us,' he said. 'Our doors are still open. It is not too widely open and neither is it tightly shut.' However, Bung said Umno did not expect major problems with Sabah Pakatan Harapan (PH) over seat distribution, as the two coalitions typically contested in different areas – PH in urban seats, and Umno in rural constituencies. He added that Sabah Umno was looking to contest in 35 seats, up from 32 in the last state election. Bung's latest comments mark a shift from his stance earlier this month, where he reportedly said that Sabah Umno would not work with GRS and would consider cooperation only after the outcome of the polls. Barisan Nasional and PH earlier announced an alliance for the Sabah polls, which must be held by the end of the year. However, the alliance prompted GRS to threaten to go solo. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim then stepped in and called for PH-BN to work with the state coalition. Masiung Banah, Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah vice-president, was reported to have said that GRS was expected to contest at least 53 seats, while PH would go for 20 under their electoral pact. GRS and PH are currently allies in the Hajiji Noor state government, while BN sits in the opposition in the Sabah legislative assembly.
Free Malaysia Today
2 days ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Umno's pursuit of GRS deal driven by political realities, says analyst
Bung Moktar Radin says Sabah Umno is open to working with chief minister Hajiji Noor's GRS coalition at the upcoming state election provided seat negotiations are carried out 'with sincerity'. PETALING JAYA : Sabah Umno's willingness to work with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) ahead of the state election has been described as a calculated response to evolving political dynamics—one that analysts say may signal Barisan Nasional's (BN) waning influence in the state. On Tuesday, Sabah Umno chief Bung Moktar Radin said his party was open to working with GRS for the upcoming polls, but only if the ruling coalition shows 'sincerity' in seat negotiations. Bung's latest remarks signal a departure from his stance earlier this month, when he reportedly said that Sabah Umno would only consider cooperation after the election results were known. Universiti Malaysia Sabah's Bilcher Bala told FMT that shift in position may be a 'pragmatic response' to the changing electoral landscape in the state, where GRS has emerged as the dominant force. 'At the same time, it may also signal a weakening of BN's influence in Sabah, compelling Umno to consider alliances it previously dismissed,' he said. Bilcher said Umno's evolving posture—from outright rejection to a current openness to cooperation—suggests a recalibration in strategy due to a perceived imbalance in political leverage. He added that any future partnership between the two blocs was likely to be transactional, driven more by electoral calculations than ideological alignment or mutual trust. Bilcher also warned that such alliances would remain fragile and vulnerable to fragmentation without institutional reforms to promote fairness. 'Sabah's political landscape urgently needs mechanisms that encourage transparent negotiations, fair dispute resolution and equitable power-sharing. Only then can coalition-building become more stable and credible in the eyes of voters,' he said. Meanwhile, a Sabah-based political analyst, speaking on condition of anonymity, took a more critical tone—calling Bung's appeal for sincerity 'ironic', given his involvement in the failed attempt to unseat chief minister Hajiji Noor two years ago. 'He shouldn't keep using the term 'sincere' as he himself teamed up with rivals to push the 'Kinabalu Move' in an attempt to bring down Hajiji. 'Isn't that a betrayal? So who actually isn't sincere?' said the analyst. 'His latest statement only confirms Umno Sabah is consistently inconsistent. That's not good for Umno Sabah as Sabahans might interpret it as Umno being in 'desperate mode' and are unable to go (to the polls) alone. Where's the bravery and confidence that Umno Sabah can stand on its own?' he said. Akademi Nusantara's Azmi Hassan said Bung's appeal for sincerity stems from 'lessons learned' after friction arose when Umno and Bersatu, then led by Hajiji, cooperated during the last state election. 'Bung is talking about sincerity because of the lesson learned in the last state election. Umno and Bersatu worked together, but Bersatu fielded their own people as independent candidates,' said Azmi. 'Although it was agreed that there wouldn't be 'fake' clashes, Bersatu put up 'camouflage' candidates,' he said. Azmi also said that Bung's stance mirrors Umno's position at the federal level. 'It's not that Bung is flip-flopping on whether to work (with GRS). 'From day one, Umno has wanted Umno Sabah to work with GRS and PH. It's not a flip-flop from Bung's side but a directive from the top,' he said.
Malay Mail
3 days ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
‘Don't need a middleman': Pakatan can work with GRS if they want, but Sabah BN wont, says Bung Moktar
KOTA KINABALU, June 24 — Sabah Umno chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin has rejected the idea of negotiating with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) through intermediaries, insisting he does not need a middleman to decide whether to work with other political parties ahead of the state election. The Lamag assemblyman reiterated his position that cooperation with the incumbent GRS was 'impossible' unless they 'cleanse their souls' first. 'They can work with GRS. And we can work with Pakatan Harapan (PH), but between me and GRS, let that remain between us. I don't need a middleman,' Bung said when speaking to reporters after a women's empowerment programme organised by Majlis Amanah Rakyat here today, He was responding to a question about the Unity Government Secretariat's call for the three coalitions in the federal administration — Barisan Nasional (BN), PH, and GRS — to cooperate ahead of the state elections. Bung said there had been no meetings between BN and GRS, nor any one-on-one discussions between him and Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. 'If we want to talk, we talk directly. But as of now — no meetings, no discussions. And frankly, there's no need,' he said. Bung said his stance stemmed from what he claimed were past betrayals and a lack of sincerity by the coalition led by Hajiji. 'It's not that I refuse (to work with GRS). If they change into a party that is sincere and honest, I might consider it. But if they don't change, it's impossible. 'We agree in the morning, but by afternoon you change it, and then you take what's been given to us — how is that sincere? Sincerity means sticking to your word. That is how you win over the people,' he said. Bung also took a jab at GRS leaders for shedding 'crocodile tears', saying he no longer trusted their word. He was ostensibly referring to a recent unverified video of Hajiji, circulated online, which showed him in tears during one of his party's conventions while claiming it was his last term as chief minister. In contrast, Bung said BN had a cordial relationship with Pakatan Harapan (PH), and although negotiations were still ongoing, election clashes were unlikely. 'We are working with PH. Negotiations are okay, just that some finer details still need to be worked out,' he said. When asked if seat negotiations had begun, Bung said BN would contest in constituencies it believed it could win. 'I haven't decided how many, but if I can win 40, I'll contest 40,' he said.
Malay Mail
4 days ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
‘Don't need a middleman': PH can work with GRS if they want, but Sabah BN wont, says Bung Moktar
KOTA KINABALU, June 24 — Sabah Umno chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin has rejected the idea of negotiating with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) through intermediaries, insisting he does not need a middleman to decide whether to work with other political parties ahead of the state election. The Lamag assemblyman reiterated his position that cooperation with the incumbent GRS was 'impossible' unless they 'cleanse their souls' first. 'They can work with GRS. And we can work with Pakatan Harapan (PH), but between me and GRS, let that remain between us. I don't need a middleman,' Bung said when speaking to reporters after a women's empowerment programme organised by Majlis Amanah Rakyat here today, He was responding to a question about the Unity Government Secretariat's call for the three coalitions in the federal administration — Barisan Nasional (BN), PH, and GRS — to cooperate ahead of the state elections. Bung said there had been no meetings between BN and GRS, nor any one-on-one discussions between him and Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. 'If we want to talk, we talk directly. But as of now — no meetings, no discussions. And frankly, there's no need,' he said. Bung said his stance stemmed from what he claimed were past betrayals and a lack of sincerity by the coalition led by Hajiji. 'It's not that I refuse (to work with GRS). If they change into a party that is sincere and honest, I might consider it. But if they don't change, it's impossible. 'We agree in the morning, but by afternoon you change it, and then you take what's been given to us — how is that sincere? Sincerity means sticking to your word. That is how you win over the people,' he said. Bung also took a jab at GRS leaders for shedding 'crocodile tears', saying he no longer trusted their word. He was ostensibly referring to a recent unverified video of Hajiji, circulated online, which showed him in tears during one of his party's conventions while claiming it was his last term as chief minister. In contrast, Bung said BN had a cordial relationship with Pakatan Harapan (PH), and although negotiations were still ongoing, election clashes were unlikely. 'We are working with PH. Negotiations are okay, just that some finer details still need to be worked out,' he said. When asked if seat negotiations had begun, Bung said BN would contest in constituencies it believed it could win. 'I haven't decided how many, but if I can win 40, I'll contest 40,' he said.
