Rift purportedly forming within Sabah Umno after failed takeover

KOTA KINABALU: There appears to be a falling-out within Sabah Umno after a purported move to unseat the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) government led by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor fizzled out.

It is speculated that Sabah Barisan Nasional chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, who is also Lamag assemblymen, had led a meeting with Umno's 16 other Sabah assemblymen at 4.30pm on Thursday (Jan 5) to discuss a possible takeover of the state government with Parti Warisan.

However, nothing came out of that meeting as it is believed about half the assemblymen opposed the idea of forming a coalition government with Warisan, which is led by Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.

Hours later, at least seven Umno assemblymen were seen meeting with Hajiji at his residence. One was a state minister and four were assistant ministers in the Sabah government.

They consisted of Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Yakubah Khan (Karambunai), Rural Development Assistant Minister Datuk Harun Durabi (Bengkoka), Agriculture and Fisheries Assistant Minister Datuk James Ratib (Sugut), Local Government and Housing Assistant Minister Datuk Mohamad Hamsan Awang Supain (Sungai Sibuga) as well as Youth and Sports Assistant Minister Datuk Andi Muhammad Suryady Bandy (Tanjong Batu).

The remaining two were Sindumin representative Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob and nominated assemblyman Datuk Raimie Unggi.

GRS' Membakut assemblyman Datuk Arifin Arif, who is also Sabah Special Tasks Minister, posted the photo on Facebook, saying the group was led by Yakubah, the Sabah Umno deputy chief.

Political analyst Tony Paridi Bagang said the photo suggested they were a breakaway group.

"If there are factions in Sabah Umno, it could weaken the party," he said on Friday (Jan 6).

Bung, who is also Sabah Deputy Chief Minister, had parried questions from the media asking if the Umno assemblymen meeting on Thursday (Jan 5) had anything to do with a power grab, saying it was only a normal meeting on the party's future.

Despite Bung's remarks and Shafie remaining silent, Bagang noted that the damage had already been done.

"There is a possibility (of Hajiji) reshuffling the Sabah Cabinet. Those in the photo may be given a chance through a change of portfolio as far as Sabah Barisan representation is concerned.

"Furthermore, the Chief Minister might consider appointing Pakatan Harapan assemblymen to be part of the state government," he said.

Besides the assemblymen in the photo, it is also said that Sabah Umno's Tanjung Keramat assemblyman Shahelmey Yahya, who is also Sabah Community Development and People's Welfare Minister, Datuk Mohd Arsad Bistari (Tempasuk), Datuk Jasnih Daya (Dalit) and Datuk Suhaimi Nasir (nominated rep) also did not agree for any cooperation with Warisan.

On Thursday (Jan 5), Warisan organised a sudden press conference at a hotel here at 4.30pm, but it was called off.

GRS and Sabah Pakatan reps also gathered at the Sabah International Convention Centre on the same day to back Hajiji.

Talk of the possible Sabah government takeover gathered momentum on Tuesday (Jan 3) when GRS secretary-general Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun released a statement saying that Hajiji continued to enjoy majority support from the 79 Sabah assemblymen.

This was after speculation emerged of certain quarters who claimed to have the support of more than half of the assemblymen to form a new state government.

Without naming the group, Masidi said Hajiji had majority backing, including from seven Sabah Pakatan assemblymen who are considered part of the state Opposition, to continue leading the state.