Zahid calls for ceasefire in Sabah political crisis

PETALING JAYA: A ceasefire must be made by all parties in the ongoing Sabah political crisis until a final solution is achieved by top leaders, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (pic).

The Deputy Prime Minister also said that negotiations should be made in order to achieve political stability in Sabah.

“All sides must have a ceasefire until the Prime Minister, myself, the Sabah Chief Minister and others sit in a six-eyed meeting to find a conclusive solution for the benefit of Sabah,” said Ahmad Zahid in a pre-recorded interview with RTM on Monday (Jan 9) night.

The six-eyed meeting is believed to be between Ahmad Zahid, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, Sabah Barisan Nasional, Pakatan Harapan, and Warisan leaders.

Ahmad Zahid also said locals shouldn’t be burdened with another election, as Sabah went through a state election in 2020.

“All sides must admit the fact that political stability at the federal level must be felt at the state level. In this context - Sabah,” said Ahmad Zahid.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also Barisan Nasional chairman, is currently in Sabah.

In the interview, Ahmad Zahid also said it was a “divine intervention” that the unity government under Anwar’s leadership was formed with Pakatan’s 82 seats and Barisan’s 30 seats, which adds up to a simple majority of 112 seats.

“Even after the swearing-in ceremony (of Anwar), Sabah and Sarawak parties, as well as smaller parties, made it possible to achieve 148 (seats) on the dot, which translates to two-thirds majority.

“This is a divine intervention; the last time a government garnered a two-thirds majority was in the 11th General Election,” said Ahmad Zahid.

“After that, there is no two-thirds majority by the government,” he added.

The 11th General Election in 2004 saw Barisan under Tun Abdullah Badawi’s leadership clinching 198 seats of the 219 seats in the Dewan Rakyat.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid said Umno divisions across the country will hold simultaneous meetings this year and will focus on party polls at the divisional and central levels.

Ahmad Zahid said Umno will hold two annual general assemblies this year, and the first will be held from Jan 12 to 14.

He said the second Umno general assembly will be held around the middle of this year, but did not divulge a specific date.

“All division meetings for 2023 will be held simultaneously throughout the country on the same day and there will be elections to choose leaders at the divisional and national levels,” said Ahmad Zahid.

The 2022 Umno general assembly is scheduled to be held from Jan 11 to Jan 14 this year after it was postponed due to the 15th General Election on Nov 19 last year.