KOTA KINABALU: Barisan Nasional component Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) pledging support for Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor shows that efforts are under way to patch things up with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) after last month’s political crisis, says an analyst.
Sabah Universiti Teknologi Mara’s Tony Paridi Bagang said PBRS was echoing the stand by the Barisan central leadership in supporting the state government led by Hajiji, who is also GRS chairman.
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“This (support for GRS) was recently declared by Barisan secretary-general Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir.
“Being part of Barisan, PBRS is ‘tight’ with the central leadership. It’s a safe move not to bypass the central leadership and at the same time, uphold the spirit of coalition within Barisan.
“It was clear that Umno leadership at the federal level wanted Barisan-Umno to be part of the GRS pact,” he told The Star on Tuesday (Feb 14).
PBRS' statement follows a similar one made by Sabah MCA on Saturday (Feb 11).
Its chief Lu Yen Tung said Sabah MCA will assist the state government in implementing policies and speaking up for the people to ensure that the principles of diversity, moderation and justice were upheld to safeguard the rights of all Sabahans.
ALSO READ: Barisan's statement of support will strengthen Sabah govt, says Hajiji
Lu also pointed out that Sabah MCA was never part of the plot to unseat the state government.
On Sunday (Feb 12), Zambry issued a statement backing the Hajiiji-led state government and also announced that Sabah Umno deputy chief Datuk Yakubah Khan would liaise with the state government in its development agenda and other matters.
Barisan chairman and Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had said on Jan 31 that the door was open for talks to mend strained relations between Barisan and GRS.
On Tuesday, Hajiji welcomed the announcement by Zambry, saying this will only bring more stability to Sabah.
“This is good. This means that the state government will be stronger in the unity government helmed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim,” he said after launching a Malaysia Madani seminar here.
The political crisis in the state was triggered when Sabah Barisan chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin announced the party’s decision to sever ties with GRS on Jan 6.
Sabah Barisan and Parti Warisan, working with Parti KDM, nearly toppled Hajiji’s administration.
ALSO READ: Hajiji in safe position following opposition defections, says political analyst
However, Hajiji managed to secure a 44-seat majority in the 79-member state assembly, enabling him to remain as Chief Minister.
Hajiji’s position was strengthened with the support of three assemblymen who quit Warisan on Feb 6.
Bagang said the decision by Barisan to make Yakubah the mediator to fix the relationship with GRS was due to Bung Moktar’s role in the political coup last month.
He said the coup had tarnished Bung Moktar’s image and caused some collateral damage to Sabah Umno.
“To patch up the relationship, it is expected that Bung Moktar will not be at the forefront and someone has to replace him.
“Perhaps he’s not being sidelined, but just for a political compromise (within Sabah Umno) to put things right accordingly.
“It all depends on the GRS leadership and Sabah Umno's sincerity. At least, there is an effort from Sabah Umno to reach out to patch up the damage,” Bagang said.
