KOTA KINABALU – The usually vocal Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin has been unusually quiet over the last several days.
The Sabah Umno chief’s silence is due to the imbroglio between his party and the Perikatan Nasional federal government led by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, with sources close to him saying the Kinabatangan MP is opting to be non-confrontational.
“He is not going to tell whether he is supporting PN or Umno,” insiders told The Vibes.
“Bung Moktar wants to stick to his stand alongside his Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) colleagues.”
Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi this week announced that the party is withdrawing its backing for PN and Muhyiddin.
He said the prime minister no longer enjoys majority support in Parliament.
Today, however, Barisan Nasional MPs, including several from Umno, said they are on PN and Muhyiddin’s side.
These developments have put Sabah Umno and its two MPs under the spotlight.
Kimanis’ Datuk Mohamad Alamin has maintained his support for PN, and a source said Bung Moktar has informed his GRS peers that he will preserve the existing cooperation.
“He just wishes to keep calm and see how things pan out at the federal level,” said the source, adding that Bung Moktar also stressed the importance of upholding the people’s mandate.
Sabah Umno’s stand has always been to maintain cooperation with GRS, said the source, and withdrawing this now will see the state coalition in trouble.
The state Umno chapter has 16 assemblymen, and pulling out could spell disaster for GRS, which holds 46 of Sabah’s 79 state seats. – The Vibes, August 6, 2021
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