Perikatan to participate in coming Sabah polls

PERIKATAN Nasional (PN) chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin confirmed the coalition would participate in the Sabah election even though it was weakened following the exodus of key state leaders in late 2022.

Muhyiddin’s words marked a significant turnaround for PN in Sabah after leaders left the coalition’s key party, Bersatu, for Gabungan Rakyat Sabah, nearly crippling the state chapter.

He said Sabah Bersatu had to be rebuilt and described the turncoats’ actions as an outright “betrayal” to PN.

“Alhamdulilah, we now have 600 branches in all 25 Sabah divisions under the leadership of Sabah Bersatu chief Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee. This is a good sign for politics in Sabah.

“This shows the struggles of Bersatu have not died,” said the former prime minister at Sabah Bersatu’s first convention in Kota Kinabalu.

On December 10, 2022, most Sabah Bersatu leaders, led by Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, abandoned Bersatu and PN in favour of GRS to assist Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to form the unity government after the general election.

Other PN components and allies, Sabah Star and Parti Bersatu Sabah, also abandoned the coalition, while PAS and Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) stayed in.

“We understand the problem... It was a dark chapter of our party due to the betrayal. But now, we are looking forward and moving forward. We now see more dedicated and serious young leaders in Sabah taking the mantle of divisional chiefs. They have qualifications and they are ready and willing to sacrifice for the party,” he said.

Muhyiddin said PN has not decided on candidates or forming alliances with others but added he will do so when it was clear when the next Sabah election would be held.

“Now we are still rebuilding the party. Focus is on getting more members and establishing more branches. Of course, we face challenges like finances, and we had expected this.

“But what counts is the spirit and readiness to work of our members to the point that we can become a force to be reckoned with once again,” he said.

The present state government’s term will end in September 2025.

Also present were Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee and Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin. – The Vibes, May 6, 2024