KOTA KINABALU – While the ongoing spat between Bersatu and Umno gets hotter in the peninsula, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) leaders are expected to seal their cooperation, together with ally Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), said sources in the state’s ruling coalition.
GRS comprises Barisan Nasional, which has Sabah Umno as a component, and Perikatan Nasional, which has the state Bersatu. PBS has thus far been GRS-friendly, but is not part of the pact.
The move means that Bersatu and Umno’s Sabah chapters will work together, with the signing of a memorandum of understanding planned for tomorrow morning.
Sabah BN comprises the state Umno and MCA, while Sabah PN counts the state Bersatu, Sabah Star, Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah and PAS as members.
A GRS source told The Vibes today that the conflict between Bersatu and Umno will have no effect on the plan to ink the MoU.
“There is no problem with what will happen here tomorrow, and the ongoing conflict between Umno and Bersatu in Peninsular Malaysia.
“The leaders may have already given it much thought before agreeing to enter into this MoU.”
At a recent Supreme Council meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Umno leaders agreed to take into consideration the call by a majority of divisions to cut ties with Bersatu, with the final decision to be made at the party’s general assembly on January 31.
It is likely that Umno will not cooperate with Bersatu in the 15th general election, and will push for early polls.
These two agendas are expected to be deliberated on at the general assembly.
Sabah Umno chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, who is expected to be present at the MoU signing tomorrow, previously admitted that the tiff between Bersatu and his party will only have a “ripple effect” in the state.
Asked how state Umno will deal with the situation, he said it has been granted autonomy, and therefore, is able to decide which parties it will cooperate with.
He added that he will defend the GRS alliance.
Sabah Bersatu chief and Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Md Noor has yet to comment on the feud.
Another source said the MoU will be signed by BN, and will not directly involve Umno.
The party can still pull out of the cooperation should the conflict in the peninsula reach Sabah, he said.
He said it is understood that Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi knows about the MoU, and that it is not to seal the party, per se, in the cooperation.
“It would be like a dead marriage if Umno feels trapped in a cooperation that is not beneficial to the party.”
Meanwhile, GRS chairman Hajiji was today appointed Sabah PN liaison chief by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
“Today, I had a meeting with leaders from the alliance and formed a consensus,” said Hajiji.
“The consensus includes forming and strengthening the working partnership of PN partners... Ensure the effectiveness of PN and other component parties in Sabah in serving the people, continue our support for the leadership of Muhyiddin as prime minister, and further strengthen our cooperation with BN and PBS, in view of our cooperation under the GRS government.” – The Vibes, January 8, 2020
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