SABAH Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin has reiterated his scepticism over the prospect of forming any cooperation with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS).
He said he lacks trust in the coalition and views its leadership as insincere.
“I will only look for cooperation with parties that are sincere… and do not cheat,” he said when bluntly dismissing the idea of working with GRS unless its leaders fundamentally change their approach.
Bung said this when met by reporters in Kota Kinabalu on Tuesday.
Both BN and GRS leaders had a fallout in January 2023, which almost caused the GRS-led state government to collapse.
It was PH and several BN leaders defiant of Bung’s directive that has kept the present state government intact.
It was unclear as to the cause of the fallout, but BN withdrew their support to GRS after its chairman and Sabah chief minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor reshuffled his cabinet, including removing Bung from the line-up.
The change of government at the federal level also played a part in the fallout.
After the 2022 federal election, Hajiji and his colleagues abandoned Bersatu and later took over Parti Gagasan Rakyat to keep his political position.
Bung sees this as a violation to the political cooperation between BN-GRS that they had agreed upon during the Sabah election in 2020.
Bung, who is also Sabah Umno chief, said this experience with GRS has left him wary — and accused certain leaders of being more focused on showboating.
“I don’t like leaders who always show off,” said Bung in a clear jab at key leaders of the state coalition.
While Bung stopped short of completely ruling out an alliance, he made clear that trust must be rebuilt for them to consider working with GRS.
“Sincerity means that if we agree, we can’t deny it. The promise must be fulfilled,” he said
Bung said cooperation would need to be grounded in honesty, and not political theatrics.
He also noted that a more realistic path to collaboration — if any — would only come after the next state election, once voters have decided the balance of power.
“Maybe it’s better if we work together after the election… we’ll know who wins more,” he said, pointing out that premature deals like before the polls, may not reflect electoral realities.
While he was highly critical of GRS, Bung struck a more conciliatory tone when asked about working with Pakatan Harapan (PH).
“We can work together with PH. We’re not that good… but we’re good,” he said, acknowledging ongoing talks though noting that some issues were still being ironed out.
The two political groups are expected to hold official talks in the first week of July.
Both BN chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and PH chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim have pitched for a three-way cooperation between - BN-PH-GRS. - June 24, 2025-ends-
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