KOTA KINABALU – Bersatu vice-president Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee is optimistic that Sabah Umno MPs will stand behind Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
Kiandee, who is also Beluran MP, said he welcomes Sabah Umno’s stand to continue working with Perikatan Nasional at the state level via the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) alliance before the confidence motion is tabled next month.
“A lot of people have been voicing their stand on whether they support Muhyiddin as prime minister. Several have withdrawn their support.
“However, it will all be determined when the confidence motion is tabled in next month’s sitting.
“I welcome Sabah Umno’s support for Chief Minister and Sabah Bersatu chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor, but I hope Sabah Umno MPs will also support Muhyiddin in the confidence motion.”
Kiandee said this at a press conference in the Sabah Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) office here today.
Yesterday, Sabah Umno issued a statement declaring its support for GRS.
Currently, there are two Sabah Umno MPs – Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin (Kinabatangan) and Datuk Mohamad Alamin (Kimanis) – and 16 assemblymen.
Bung Moktar, who is also Sabah Umno chief, has been quiet recently, with sources 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 GRS colleagues.”
Meanwhile, Mohamad had told The Vibes previously that he will not be switching his present support for the PN administration or the prime minister.
He had said he is maintaining his support for PN, as the party’s state chapter has reiterated many times before. – The Vibes, August 7, 2021