KOTA KINABALU – Sabah Bersatu has rubbished claims made by former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak that its local leaders are no longer selling the Bersatu brand in the state.
The party’s Sabah information chief Khairul Firdaus Khan pointed out that it is part of the state’s ruling coalition.
“It is not nice to slander us (Bersatu) like this, accusing us of hiding behind the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) brand because we are a weak party. We are truly disappointed with Najib’s slander.
“Sabah Bersatu is part of the GRS alliance, and we work with others as a group which is running the affairs of Sabah.
“It is not right for leaders from other parties, especially leaders who are not locals as they do not understand the politics in Sabah,” he said during a press conference here today.
Yesterday, the Pekan MP said that Sabah Bersatu leaders have been barely promoting their own party, instead preferring to tout the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah brand.
The former prime minister said believes this trend is a sign that Bersatu’s popularity has eroded both in the peninsula and in Sabah.
Khairul who is also Bersatu’s Batu Sapi division chief said those who are not well versed in the politics in Sabah should refrain from commenting on the way politics in Sabah is being practiced.
“In Borneo, Sabah and Sarawak have its own brand of politics, we also have our own formula and way to run them,” said Khairul, denying that Bersatu has lost its grip in Sabah.
He said Bersatu is not hiding behind any front and the party has its own strength and autonomy in running its own affairs. – The Vibes, July 2, 2022