Sabah BN leader attempts to defuse GRS-Barisan tension

Datuk Raime Unggi

KOTA KINABALU: A Sabah Barisan Nasional leader has called for calm following tension between the coalition and its partners in the state government, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS).

Calling for GRS and Barisan to maintain their existing ties, Sabah Barisan information chief Datuk Raime Unggi said all leaders as well as members and supporters of both coalitions should hold back from making statements that might hurt the other camp.

The former Tenom MP said the leadership from both coalitions had already spoken up and that it was best everyone let the matter rest as they await developments over the country's political direction in the nation's capital before making any decision.

"For us in Sabah Barisan, we will accept any decision taken by the central leadership.

"On the matter of support (on the formation of the government), let the leadership decide.

"But at the same time, we (in Sabah) must take the approach to maintain cooperation under the existing pact," Raime said on Wednesday (Nov 23).

He said this after the GRS-Barisan pact was shaken following Sabah Barisan chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin's criticism of GRS chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor for breaking their pre-election agreement to support Barisan after GE15.

Bung slammed Hajiji, who is also Sabah Chief Minister, who said on Monday (Nov 21) that six MPs from GRS would support Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as Malaysia's 10th Prime Minister.

"We had an agreement that GRS would support Barisan. Hajiji has broken the deal by giving support to Perikatan Nasional. He has declared war on us," Bung said on Monday.

Hajiji, however, on Tuesday (Nov 21) denied declaring war on Barisan although pointing out the agreement to support them after GE15 was no longer valid after its defeat in the national polls.

He said the agreement was to support a prime minister from Barisan but with the coalition only winning 30 parliamentary seats, it was clearly not in a position to govern the country.

Towards this end, Raime also agreed with GRS information chief Datuk Joniston Bangkuai's statement calling for calm from both camps.

Raime admitted that the situation was quite "hot" in Kuala Lumpur but said he believed GRS and Barisan could work it out at state level.

"I am confident that with the cooperation we have now. We can avoid any kind of conflict which can be blown out of proportion by certain quarters who want to portray that we are fighting with each other.

"Based on the spirit of friendship, I hope if anyone plans to issue any statement, it must be referred to both camps first because the present scenario requires us to remain silent for now before saying anything," he said.