KOTA KINABALU – Sabah Umno’s continued support for the ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) at the state level is much appreciated.
This is despite Umno’s decision to pull the plug on the Perikatan Nasional (PN) administration.
GRS and Sabah PN chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said that Umno’s state chairman Datuk Sri Bung Moktar Radin has been consistent in his commitment towards GRS.
“This shows the commitment GRS leaders have in respecting the mandate of the Sabahans who have chosen the coalition to lead the state,” he said in a statement today.
For this reason, our priority is to defend the people and the state.
“Our challenge ahead is health, safety and economic issues following the Covid-19 pandemic. Hence, as GRS chairman, I truly appreciate Bung’s stand to stay with GRS in Sabah.”
Bung Moktar had reiterated the need for the state chapter to honour the mandate given to it by the people, and, therefore, will keep GRS – an alliance that includes Sabah PN – intact.
However, he said the two Umno parliamentarians in the state – himself as Kinabatangan MP and Datuk Mohamad Alamin (Kimanis MP) – will abide by party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s announcement to withdraw support from PN.
Meanwhile, Sabah Star president Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan also commended Bung Moktar for his decision, saying that it strengthened the autonomy power of Sabah Umno.
“Bung shows that Sabah Umno is a party that prioritises the people of Sabah,” he said in a statement.
“GRS is a government that was chosen democratically in Sabah. We were given the mandate by the rakyat.
“The opposition has repeatedly attempted to break this government, but they have failed because the parties that formed GRS consist of leaders who are aware that the power is in the hands of the rakyat.
Hence, we will continue to work hard for the people, keeping to our promises made during the state election last year, and develop Sabah.
Kitingan added that Star will continue to support Hajiji’s leadership as the chief minister, and urged his members to remain calm and carry out their duties as per normal.
GRS consists of two coalitions: Sabah PN (Sabah Bersatu, Sabah Star, Parti Bersatu Sabah, and Sabah Progressive Party), as well as Sabah BN (Umno, MCA, and Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah).
Sabah PN and Sabah BN decided to work together during the state election in September last year, winning them 38 seats (PN 23 seats; BN Umno 15 seats), and defeating Warisan Plus, which won 32 seats. –The Vibes, July 8, 2021
