KOTA KINABALU – Dissatisfaction is growing among component parties of the state’s ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) alliance following grouses that most political appointments have been monopolised by dominant member Sabah Umno.
The Vibes learnt that the conflict is now almost at a boiling point, so much so that even the dominant Sabah Bersatu can no longer pacify fellow leaders in Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Sabah Star) and Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) over “demanding” Sabah Umno leaders.
Sources in Sabah Star said it is “sheer greed” driving Umno leaders to take on almost all political appointments, from GLCs to grassroots and community leader posts.
“Even those from Sabah Bersatu, the party the chief minister is from, are not happy with the way Sabah Umno is taking most of the political appointments,” the source said.
Recently, Tuaran Sabah Star coordinator Edward Linggu had urged for calm among his party members in the constituency when their men were not given any political appointments.
“I understand that some Sabah Star members had worked hard campaigning for GRS in the recent state election, but not one had been given an appointment in a statutory body, native chief, JKKKs and others,” he told party members at a gathering in the district.
Another source said, while a formula was agreed on to determine the distribution of political appointments, Sabah Umno did not respect them.
“For GLCs or statutory body appointments, for instance, the names of party members would be recommended directly to the chief minister.
“I’m not sure how, but the last thing we heard, Umno men got the posts.”
GRS took power in Sabah after the state polls last September 26, defeating the incumbent alliance Warisan Plus.
GRS comprises Perikatan Nasional (Sabah Star, SAPP, Sabah Bersatu and PAS), Barisan Nasional (Umno, MCA and MIC) and friendly Parti Bersatu Sabah.
The source said the reason Sabah Umno is making these demands may stem from its disappointment of not having its chief, Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, taking office as chief minister.
Instead, Bung Moktar is one of the state’s three deputy chief ministers. The other two are Sabah Star’s Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan and PBS’ Datuk Joachim Gunsalam.
Bung was reported to have extended his apologies to Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi after failing to secure the chief minister post.
Sabah Umno won 14 seats in the state election while Perikatan Nasional’s Sabah Bersatu won 11 and Sabah Star has six. – The Vibes, February 21, 2021
