Latest news with #Usno
Daily Express
a day ago
- Politics
- Daily Express
Kunak candidate up to Chief Minister: Usno division head
Published on: Wednesday, July 23, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jul 23, 2025 By: Ibrahim Tabir Text Size: KUNAK: The United Sabah National Organisation (Usno) Kunak Division is prepared to leave the decision on the most suitable candidate for the Kunak seat to the discretion of the Chief Minister and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) Chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. Usno Kunak Division Chief Hussein Ibnu Hassan said candidate selection should be based on grassroots majority sentiment, taking into account current issues being raised by opposition parties. 'The selection must also consider local issues, including any controversies involving specific individuals. To ensure the election machinery can effectively counter these issues, the candidate chosen should not only be popular, but also free from any perceptions or controversies that could undermine public support,' he told Daily Express, Tuesday. He said Usno is open to accepting any decision by the GRS Chairman regarding which component party will contest in any given seat, including the Kunak seat. 'We are open to the decision, but it is important that the individual chosen is not entangled in multiple issues or controversies, as that could affect the candidate's chances of winning,' he added. Hussein, who is also Usno Vice President, said as a GRS component party in Kunak, Usno maintains good relations with fellow coalition parties, including Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star), Parti Cinta Sabah (PCS) and Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat), even though there may occasionally be differences of opinion. 'Differences of opinion are normal in any party, but Usno is confident that minor internal issues among component parties can be resolved, unless they involve individuals entangled in controversies beyond the party's control,' he said. 'If the incumbent from Gagasan Rakyat is fielded again to contest in Kunak, we leave the decision to the voters during the election. Let them decide,' he said. He also said Usno had previously submitted a proposal through its President for an Usno candidate to contest the Kunak seat. 'Ultimately, the final decision rests with the GRS Chairman on which component party will contest here,' he added. * 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
Daily Express
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
Chan on his arrest, detention in Kepayan
Published on: Sunday, July 13, 2025 Published on: Sun, Jul 13, 2025 By: Kan Yaw Chong Text Size: Chan in an interview with Daily Express. Also seen are his son and wife he married in 1964. IN yesterday's Daily Express report entitled 'Duo recall the dark ages during Usno', the opening paragraph started this way: 'It was a long-coming rendezvous between former fellow detainees at the infamous 'Kepayan Detention Camp', Datuk Yap Pak Leong and veteran journalist cum editor, Chan Kwong Yuen, both 90, at a book launch here, Thursday. 'The occasion was the launching of Chan's autobiography, 'Sixty years in the Storms of Journalism'.' Calling those days 'dark times', Yap, a former Minister of Labour and Environmental Development (1976-79) under the Berjaya Government headed by Tan Sri Harris Salleh, made this terse remark: 'I am sure you heard about the Kepayan Detention Camp, Chan and myself were there, for me it was two years and seven months, for Chan, 18 months. Those were dark times. We have suffered in Kepayan, we can forgive, not forget.' That Usno-led period in Sabah was labelled as Sabah's 'dark ages'. If you can read Chinese, Chan's book has documented juicy accounts of that datk age from a top-dog journalist. In a post-book launch interview, Chan said he was never told the reason why he was detained. Here is the rest of the interview: Daily Express: What's the reason behind your detention? Chan: Why I was arrested and detained, they did not give reason. Many of those arrested and detained in Kepayan asked why they were arrested and detained, they also did not know for what reason. There were some natives there, although there were a few who were really politically obvious, one is Datuk Yap Pak Leong and several others I could figure out politics must be the reason but there were natives from Kudat who looked like simple kampong folks arrested and detained. They themselves were also baffled why. My guess is the possibility of some explosive kampong discontent. DE: In your case, you also did not know why? Chan: Like me, the reason could the stream of reports we published on Independents opposed to ruling Sabah Alliance (led by Usno) , we did our best to report but is still don't know the precise reason but if you think about it, if not because of those reports, what else? DE: The problem is the reporting? Chan: Yes, but we just reported the political activities by a few individuals, such as Chong Thien Vun who went to Sandakan to mount public political campaigns, we just reported them as what journalist do – reported what's there. DE: What's your arrest and detention like? Chan: What's inside like is in my book, you go in, it's like going into a police station, the night we were detained, we were brought to detention room in the police station. The usual practice is take off your clothes, trousers except your underwear, and then put in a room that can accommodate five to six persons, that's the first step in Sandakan on the night of arrest. We were put into the detention room, for about a week, and then transferred to the Kampung Sim Sim prison where we spent one month, after which they flew us by plane to Kota Kinabalu and driven into the Kepayan Detention Centre. DE: What's the inside like at Kepayan? Chan: There were about 20 of us detained in one big block, there were Muslims, Buddhists, Christians, all detained together, including a few Chinese, a few Kadazans and a few Bajaus. That's Kepayan. From that time, you could be detained one year or two years and after that they had the power to continue to detain you, depending on the political decision. DE: How was life in detention? Chan: Like normal, two meals a day, breakfast and dinner, after that, talk, sleep. If you don't want to be confined, you can apply to come out to work in a factory, you can choose what work you want, such as carpentry, drawing or others. You work until afternoon. Sometimes you can be out to exercise, play games, like volleyball, looks like free but within the confines of the detention centre. DE: What does your heart say about today's book launch? Chan: Originally, I thought this would be just a passing event but later on got so moved when I saw the crowd who packed the room, buy the book and kept me very busy autographing for them. That sort of surprise… respect for a mere journalist was eye-opening and it touched me. DE: You are 90 now, what's your secret? Chan: Nothing special, no special supplementary extras to prop up wellness. DE: How did you manage to remember 60 years of your career? Chan: Some parts I wrote from memory supplemented by 50pc from a search for facts by going back to some published clips I had cut out and filed, the Sabah Archive keep newspapers but anything before 1963 they don't have.
Borneo Post
28-06-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Pandikar's brinkmanship jolted him to higher profile
Pandikar Amin By first sulking and going on the offensive for having been sidelined in the favour and election seats shares in GRS, Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Hj Mulia unexpectedly gained a stronger foothold in Sabah politics! Speaking last April, he made a threat that Usno 'may be forced to contest solo in the upcoming state election if it continues to be belittled and sidelined' in the GRS coalition. He pointed to the 'dismissive attitude' by some leaders within GRS, who questioned Usno's right to demand seats despite the party's efforts to build grassroots support. Within three days, on May 1, Gagasan Rakyat Bingkor Deputy Division Chief Rafie Robert and Kiulu Deputy Chief, Datuk George Teo, told Usno that it was free to leave the GRS if it feels the ruling coalition cannot meet its demands or felt it has been belittled. With disregard for any decorum, Rafie said bluntly, 'If you are dissatisfied … don't force yourself to stay … just leave.' But the Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Hj Noor, stepped in to cool things down by declaring, after a three-hour meeting of GRS leaders on May 7, that 'All is well in GRS.' The congenial smiles of the four leaders, Hajiji, Pandikar, Datuk Yong Teck Lee and Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan on the front page headline of a local paper was hilarious knowing the strained backdrop of the news story. In dealing with the constrains to manoeuvre in the local political arena, Pandikar hasn't accepted any disadvantage he may have, but has leveraged on his strength of personality, as one who has gone through years in the political combat zones. Putting forth a self-assured front, he spoke his mind against some of whom he describes as 'greenhorns' – all in the bravado well-horned since his days in Bersih, AKAR and in the hot chair of Parliament. His latest no-nonsense pro-Sabah speech in Kunak, in which he raised Sabahans' grievances under the federal policies, has now gone viral and defined his and Usno's political stance. His strategy of advocating strongly for Sabah's greater autonomy within the GRS coalition has indeed enhanced his political influence. This 'brinkmanship' – pushing the boundaries of expected relationship norm in GRS – to the point of threatening to go it alone in the forthcoming PRN17, has likely boosted his clout within the coalition and among Sabahans for several reasons: 1. He appeals to the Sabah Sentiment: The desire for greater autonomy and a fairer share of resources is deeply felt among many Sabahans. By publicly and aggressively championing these causes, Pandikar positions himself as a strong advocate for Sabah's interests, resonating with voters who feel marginalized or ignored by the federal government. This strengthens his base of support. 2. Internal Coalition Dynamics: His outspokenness creates pressure within the GRS coalition. While potentially disruptive, it forces other coalition partners to acknowledge and address Sabah's concerns, giving USNO a more prominent role in discussions and decision-making processes. His willingness to push boundaries gains him attention and influence. 3. Media Attention and Public Perception: Pandikar's assertive tactics generate considerable media attention, increasing his visibility and shaping public perception. This increases his profile and strengthens his influence beyond the immediate political arena. 4. Negotiating Power: By demonstrating a willingness to push the boundaries of the coalition, Pandikar strengthens his negotiating position. He can leverage his vocal support for Sabah's autonomy to secure concessions and influence policy decisions within GRS. 5. Mobilization of Support: This assertive stance can mobilize support not only within USNO but also amongst other groups and parties sympathetic to Sabah's cause. This expands his political base and increases his bargaining power. However, it is crucial to note that this brinkmanship may carry some risks. Although his assertiveness had pushed GRS for a reconciliation, any excess may alienate coalition partners and damage his relationships within GRS. But as one who has known him since our days in AKAR, I see no possibility of him compromising on his stance where Sabah rights are concerned. It's a u-turn from his previous stance when he was Parliament chairman, but this new direction boosts Usno's influence as it resonates with the now popular 'Sabah for Sabahans' slogan. What he has achieved with his typical virulent rhetoric are leadership gems which has raised him further up in the Sabah political current, ultimately to herald the recognition that Pandikar Amin Hj Mulia is still a force to be reckoned with! It could also be perceived negatively by some voters who prefer a more conciliatory approach. The effectiveness of his strategy will depend on careful calculation and a deep understanding of Sabah's political landscape. The long-term consequences remain to be seen. Pandikar's shift from a previously pro-federal stance to a strong advocate for Sabah's greater autonomy represents a significant change in his political trajectory. This U-turn can be analyzed from several perspectives: • Political Pragmatism: Pandikar's change might be driven by political pragmatism. He may have recognized that advocating for Sabah's autonomy resonates far more strongly with the Sabah electorate than a pro-federal stance. By aligning himself with the popular sentiment of greater self-determination, he enhances his political viability and appeal within Sabah. • Evolving Political Landscape: The political landscape in Sabah has shifted significantly. The increased focus on the implementation of MA63 and the growing demand for greater autonomy have created a more receptive environment for pro-autonomy voices. Pandikar's shift might reflect an adaptation to this evolving political reality. • Internal Party Dynamics: His change could be influenced by internal dynamics within USNO and his desire to strengthen the party's position within Sabah's political arena. Embracing the autonomy agenda allows him to consolidate his position as a key leader within the party. • Strategic Calculation: Pandikar's U-turn could be a strategic calculation aimed at enhancing his negotiating power. By adopting a more assertive stance, he can exert greater influence within the GRS coalition and secure concessions from the federal government. • Response to Public Pressure: It's possible the shift is a response to mounting public pressure from Sabahans demanding greater autonomy and a more assertive representation of their interests at the federal level. Pandikar may have sensed this public sentiment and changed his political position to better reflect the views of his electorate. • Shifting Priorities: His priorities might have changed over time, leading to a reevaluation of his political stance. He may have come to view greater autonomy as essential for Sabah's long-term prosperity and well-being. However, it's important to acknowledge that Pandikar's change could also be perceived as opportunistic. The timing of his shift raises questions about his sincerity and motivations. His previous pro-federal stance could be used to criticize his current advocacy for greater autonomy, potentially undermining his credibility among some segments of the population. The long-term implications of this change will likely depend on the consistency and effectiveness of his approach. How has Pandikar's U-turn affected his relationship with other GRS leaders? What are the key issues Pandikar advocates for Sabah? What are the main reasons for the U-turn?
Daily Express
22-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
It's all about the seats
Published on: Sunday, June 22, 2025 Published on: Sun, Jun 22, 2025 By: Datuk Teddy Chin Text Size: NOW that Kaamatan is over and Hari Raya Haji has just been celebrated, the question of when is the State election is the hot topic in coffeeshops again. Sabah is not short of soothsayers or Nujum Pak Belalang to borrow P. Ramlee's words. Whatever it is, dissolution of the State Assembly is not expected before TYT's birthday celebration on the 3rd weekend of this month followed by Awal Murharram holiday at the end of the month. Neither is election expected before National Day or Merdeka cum Sabah Day on August 31, if you like, and Malaysia Day on September 16. The State Assembly is set to meet for two days in early July so it got to be after that. But when? However, dissolution of the State Assembly and the actual election dates are two different things. The dissolution date is up to the State Government of the day with the consent of the Governor while the election date is up to the Election Commission. Election must be held within 60 days from the date of dissolution. Meaning if the Assembly is dissolved in September, election is likely to be in October or early November. A little bird on the tree told me that the Assembly might be dissolved in September. But which part of September remains to be seen for example whether it's after Malaysia Day pn Sept 16 or…. most probably late September as the present State Government was elected late 2020. Advertisement Next comes the question of whether the State ruling coalition of GRS+ will maintain its cooperation or GRS may go solo as hinted a few times. The + here refers to GRS plus PH comprising DAP, PKR, Upko and Amanah. Recently PM Anwar floated the idea of including BN in the 'Plus' but by now it is obvious that GRS is only keen on cooperating with PH but not the Umno-led BN. So it's either GRS going solo or the present arrangement of GRS+PH to continue. CM and GRS chairman Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Hj Noor recently indicated that he prefers the present arrangement to continue. This was echoed by GRS Secretary-General Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun who said that everything will be finalised at the GRS Supreme Council meeting expected end of this month or early July. So all signs point to a GRS+PH coalition. But for the purpose of this article and for argument sake, let's first assume that GRS goes solo for understandable reasons. If GRS goes solo, Tan Sri Pandikar Amin, Datuk Seri Panglima Yong Teck Lee and Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Jeffrey Kitingan will be the happiest persons because this is what they wanted all along. Pandikar leads Usno, Yong SAPP and Jeffrey Star. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out why the trio wants GRS to go solo. For the record, both Usno and SAPP failed to win a single seat in the 2020 State election. Star won half a dozen but it is no secret that Dr Jeffery wants his party to be given as many seats as possible. He reasoned that every party has a right to request for seats and whether they get what they want is another matter. PBS, with whom Star was supposed to have merged, has remained silent on the number of seats it is aiming. This is good strategy. It is better to silently discuss at closed-door meetings then shouting through the Press. If GRS goes solo, then the eight component parties will have 73 seats to divide among themselves. PGRS, the leader of the pact or being the 'Tai Koh' as it is the CM's party, is expected to be given the lion's share. Even parties (including LDP, PCS and PHRS) which did not win a single seat in 2020 will then have a better chance to contest. I don't expect them to be given a lot of seats though. Maybe a few lah. I understand that the formula is that it will be status quo. Meaning, for example, if a seat is currently represented by PGRS, then it goes back to PGRS. I suppose that includes assemblymen from Warisan and Umno who had crossed over to PGRS. The PGRS assemblymen won their seats on PN/Bersatu ticket in 2022 but they are now in PGRS. They 'jumped' before the law was amended. So they are safe. One of Umno's conditions if it's a PH-BN-GRS is that it must contest the seats that it won in 2020 (13 I think). Don't know yet if they would ask for more. If you were GRS, would you agree? What more if it were a GRS-PH-BN coalition, even within GRS itself also all is not well as indicated by Pandikar's threat to quit the coalition recently. As Dr Jeffrey said, naturally each part wants to get as many seats as possible. That being aside, it is only to be expected that each party will respect its coalition partner. Even if you are aiming for the same seat, at least respect your coalition partner lah. I may be wrong and stand to be corrected. Recently a very senior PBS leader openly stated that his party is aiming for the Kukusan seat in Tawau. May be his reason is that Kukusan was won by Warisan and therefore it's everybody's cake now. Fair enough. But he seems to forget that the Kukusan YB has since crossed over to Tan Sri Liew Yun Fah's party PHRS and is now that party's sole elected Assemblyman. How do you think PHRS will feel? You don't do that to your coalition partner. There are 72 other seats for you to grab apart from Kukusan. Leave Rina Jainal alone lah. Out of the 8 GRS component parties, only 3 – PGRS (formerly Bersatu), PBS and Star – won seats in the 2020 State election. So why admit the 5 who didn't wina a seat? This is Hajiji's political style. He wants to bring as many local parties as possible under GRS's wing. Hajiji has seen how powerful local parties can be when they are united, as proven by Sarawak. Nobody can touch Sarawak. It is perhaps this style of Hajiji which made certain people unhappy to the extent that they tried to topple him in January 2023. But they underestimated Hajiji and failed miserably. Today, they try to team up with GRS indirectly. First, they got the PM and Unity Government to announce that PH and BN to face the Sabah election together, expecting GRS to follow suit. But Hajiji is not stupid. He is not someone to be pushed around. He has been a YB since 1990. He knows what he is doing. OK now let's assume that the GRS+PH arrangement will go on. The present arrangement was made when Datuk Seri Panglima Christina Liew was PH Chairman for Sabah early 2023. But things have changed. Christina is no longer the Chairman. The new Chairman is Upko Chairman Datuk Ewon Benedict. It is an open secret that he and Sabah DAP leader Ginger Phoong 'clique' like abang adik since Warisan time when they were described as the two young turks. So we don't know what is in these two young men's mind. Soon after his election as Sabah DAP chairman, Ginger already issued a statement saying that his party would reconsider its alignment with the State Government in the light of the so-called minerals 'scandal'. I understand that DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke has no problem with DAP working with GRS. All this talk about State autonomy, to me, is only egoistic. On Upko's part, it shouldn't forget that the party won only one seat (Ewon's own) out of the one dozen it contested. So when they make demands I hope they are realistic. Hajiji is keen on the GRS-PH coalition partly to give face to PM Anwar as PKR is his party. But if Sabah PH makes unrealistic demands, what do you expect oh? Hajiji bukan bodoh bah. If Sabah PH's demands are too much, then the only way is masing masing lah. GRS go solo lah. Pandikar, Yong and Jeffery will be happy. Sabah PKR chairman Datuk Mustapha Sakmud said certain areas may see friendly contests. But if there are too many friendly contests, then it defeats the purpose of a coalition. May as well go all out. The idea of 'Friendly Contests' first surfaced when Usno and Upko participated in the 1967 state election. And again during Berjaya in 1982. Both Berjaya and Usno were components of BN in 1980s. That was just before Usno was kicked out of BN for opposing the Labuan handover. Berjaya planted Independents in 4 MP areas where Usno represented BN. All 4 Berjaya-sponsored Independents won. New PKR deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar mentioned that the party hoped to contest 13 seats in Sabah, presumably under coalition with GRS. Sabah DAP has said it intended to contest 10 including the 6 it won in 2020. That's already 23 total. PH members Upko and Amanah have not mentioned how may seats they intend to contest. So the total is expected to be more than 35 if not more. The magic number to form the Sabah Government is 37 to make a simple majority. GRS is not expected to contest less than 50 to be on the safe side. PGRS Vice Chairman Datuk Masiung Banah recently hinted that GRS might contest 52 seats, leaving PH with 21. From where he got the figures or whether he spoke for the party, I don't know. Will PH accept 21? Just the expectations of PKR and DAP is already 23. Where does that leave Upko? Never mind Amanah. This seat thing can be a headache and I don't want to be in Hajiji's shoes right now. He can't offend both GRS and PH. But trust me, Hajiji is an old hand in politics and more than capable in handling this. Each party, be it from GRS or PH, needs to give and take. If nobody wants to give in, free for all lah? Lastly, politics is dynamic. Any pre-election pact does not necessarily materialize after the election. This is politics. Enemies can become friends and vice-versa. The best example is prior to the 2022 MP election, BN or Umno's stand was 'No DAP, No Anwar'. But look what happened after the election? Umno president Ahmad Zahid supported Anwar to be PM just to frustrate Muhyiddin Yassin and PAS. And DAP is a PH component. It's Zahid swallowing his pride. As the Malay proverb says, 'Jangan ludah ke langit kerana dia akan jatuh ke muka awak'. Can history repeat itself in Sabah end of this year? Anything is possible. Politics is a number game. We will only know after the election. For example, Warisan and KDM with only a few seats each (no offence meant) can turn out to be the kingmakers after the election. Who they team up with, be it BN or PH or even GRS is another matter. Politics is the art of the possible. Sabah Umno chairman himself admitted that any coalition can only be finalised after the election, although it is unlikely that GRS would want to work with him. A good example is what happened in Sabah after the 2018 election. BN, short of two seats, managed to form the government with Star's two seats. Then suddenly Upko with its few assemblymen changed allegiance and supported Warisan. The rest is history. It is believed that Sabahans 'punished' Upko in 2020 when only one of its 12 candidates won. The president then was Wilfred Madius Tangau who also lost. After the 2020 election, each of the Warisan+ parties went their own way. Upko joined Anwar's PH and it turned out to be a wise decision. From just one MP (Tangau) previously, Upko won two in 2022, the other being Ewon Benedict who replaced Tangau as Upko president. Upko was given a new lease of life. Someone said it rose from the dead. It is believed that DAP's Ginger influenced new Upko president Ewon to join PH. The gamble paid off. One of the things that voters will be looking at in the forthcoming election will be the GRS+ government's performance past few years. Sabah has just been named 'Malaysia's Most Outstanding State for 2024' at the International Business Review (IBR) Asean Awards 2025. Need I say more? When PM Anwar was in town recently, he personally launched a multi-billion ringgit project. Need I say more? The Chinese and Koreans have poured in billions over the last few years in Sabah by way of investments. Need I say more? Of course there will be issues. If the Opposition don't bring up any issue, how are they going to win a single seat? Whatever the Government does will be wrong to the Opposition. That's why they are called Opposition. They can only see what the Government has not done. Not what the government has done. They cannot afford to give credit to the government. Sabah Maju Jaya. The views expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of the Daily Express. If you have something to share, write to us at: [email protected]
Daily Express
15-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
Local parties must lead: Hajiji
Published on: Monday, June 16, 2025 Published on: Mon, Jun 16, 2025 Text Size: Hajiji, accompanied by Usno President Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia, is welcomed by Usno members upon arrival at Dewan Terbuka, Seri Dungkuan, Kampung Rampayan Laut. KOTA BELUD: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said local parties must be dominant in Sabah politics and prioritised when forming alliances for the coming 17th state election. He said the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) Government, which is formed by local parties, must be defended and continued in the coming election. Advertisement 'We want to continue this government, and that is why this election is important. We must not make the wrong choice. Local parties must be dominant in Sabah's political landscape and must be prioritised,' he said at the United Sabah National Organisation (Usno) annual congress, here, Sunday. Hajiji said any discussions on cooperation with other parties should not come at the expense of local leadership. 'Cooperation is another matter, but GRS as a local coalition must be defended. This aligns with the sentiment of the people on the ground who want local parties to lead the Government. 'As GRS chairman, I will ensure this,' he said. Hajiji said he would not hand over the rights and struggle of GRS to those with ill intentions. 'I will not easily surrender what GRS stands for to those trying to undermine the coalition,' he said. He urged leaders and members of all GRS component parties, including Usno, to go to the ground and engage with the public on the coalition's 'Our Home, We Protect' and 'Sabah First' philosophies. Other component parties include Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah, Parti Bersatu Sabah, Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku Sabah, Sabah Progressive Party, Parti Cinta Sabah, Liberal Demokratik Sabah and Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah. 'This is our mission. When we say, 'Our Home, We Protect', it should be understood clearly. We shouldn't have to explain bit by bit. It's simple, we take care of our own,' he said. On Saturday, Sabah PKR Chief Datuk Mustapha Sakmud said official negotiations with GRS were set to begin ahead of the state election, following approval from the PKR and PH central leadership. However, GRS Deputy Secretary-General Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said the coalition should 'honour' Sabah Umno Chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin's call for it to contest against BN in the polls before discussions on any possible cooperation. He said such a contest would eliminate any accusations that victory depends solely on the strength of particular parties within coalitions. 'I agree with Bung that GRS and BN should face off in the coming state election. By leaving it to the people, whoever wins will no longer face accusations that Party A won because of Party B's strength, and there will be no more allegations of betrayal,' said Armizan. * 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
