SABAH Umno chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin has characterised the leaders of Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) as being “all talk and no action”, and said that they have repeatedly made “announcements” without effectively resolving any of Sabah’s issues.
He said GRS leaders, including Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, have been talking about the state’s improving revenues and unveiling numerous plans while basic infrastructure issues and unemployment remain problems in the state.
“People are beginning to see this government as only making endless announcements without addressing the pressing issues. We still face poor water supply, frequent power failures, and deteriorating road conditions,” Bung Moktar said during a breaking-of-fast event in Kota Kinabalu last night.
“Despite claims of a surplus budget and significant investments announced last year, Sabah continues to grapple with serious unemployment and infrastructure challenges, leaving citizens questioning where the funds have been allocated,” he said.
Bung Moktar also lambasted Hajiji’s recent announcement that Sabha now has the funds to fix all of its water treatment plants.
He said the real problem is not largely over the faulty treatment plants but the distribution pipes that were behind the state’s high non-revenue water.
He said the people of Sabah deserve better governance and services comparable to those in other states.
On the political front, Bung Moktar stated that elected representatives who defied party lines during the “Kinabalu Move” last year will not be fielded as candidates in the upcoming elections.
The Kinabalu Move refers to the botched attempt to oust Hajiji from power in January 2023 when Sabah Barisan Nasional decided to withdraw its support from GRS.
However, some Umno elected representatives refused to toe the party line and remained supportive of GRS.
They include Datuk Shahelmey Yahya, who serves as both Tanjung Keramat assemblyman and Putatan MP; along with Datuk Jasnih Daya (Pantai Dalit), Datuk Arsad Bistari (Tempasuk), and Datuk James Ratib (Sugut).
All except Shahelmey have defected from Umno to become members of component parties within GRS.
“Of course, we cannot tolerate elected representatives who lack truthfulness and loyalty. We will drop them. I am not going to put them as candidates anymore,” said Bung Moktar.
The Sabah Barisan Nasional chairman said Sabah Umno intends to contest 23 seats in the state election scheduled next year.
He did not rule out the possibility of working with Pakatan Harapan as long it benefits the coalition.
Sabah has 73 state legislative seats. – The Vibes, April 3, 2024.
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