KOTA KINABALU – Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin today reiterated his support for Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), despite his coalition being snubbed by the state’s ruling alliance.
Last week, GRS chairman Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor announced that his alliance will formally comprise Sabah Bersatu, SAPP, PBS, and Sabah Star. However, Bung Moktar’s party Umno – which leads BN – will remain a partner in the GRS state government.
Bung Moktar said he had been criticised for continuing to support GRS, but argued that the state BN “could learn from them”.
“The formation of the GRS government is good and although BN is not part of the alliance directly, we will continue supporting GRS,” in his ministerial winding-up speech at the Sabah assembly.
“BN has a different group. The saying goes, although we are sleeping on different pillows, our dreams are the same.”
Hajiji’s announcement last week was seen as an indication that the acrimonious rift between Bersatu and Umno had driven a wedge in the largely cordial ties between their Sabah chapters.
Umno’s top leaders have for months been pushing for early general elections, and made it clear that they intend to take the fight to Bersatu.
During a visit to Kota Kinabalu in February, Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Umno cannot be part of GRS as it would violate BN’s constitution. – The Vibes, March 23, 2022
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