KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Umno chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin has denied issuing a statement that the party is supporting the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) government again following a news report on Tuesday (April 11).
In the said report, he was quoted saying Sabah Umno has decided to support GRS - helmed by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor - again in line with the Federal Government’s intention to uplift the Madani government agenda during a press conference on Monday (April 10) night.
Bung Moktar said during the event on Monday, he was trying to explain to reporters the confusion among people or party members that some Umno leaders and members might still be in the GRS government administration but did not openly announce support or sign statutory declarations (SDs).
“Those sacked from Umno are those who have openly supported (GRS and Hajiji) and signed the SDs, and announced they have left the party,” said Bung Moktar.
As the Sabah Barisan Nasional and Umno chief, Bung said he has no right to comment on who the Chief Minister appoints or sacks from Umno in his Cabinet or on any political appointments. He said that was Hajiji’s prerogative.
“However, this does not reflect the concept of a unity government, so how can we voice such support (towards GRS).
“This is the question at present, how can a unity government be conceptualised if people are appointed or fired at random.
“It does not create political stability, especially in this state,” said Bung.
In the latest party development in Sabah on Sunday (April 9), Bung announced the party supreme council’s decision to suspend Tanjung Keramat assemblyman and Putatan MP Datuk Shahelmey Yahya, who is Sabah Deputy Chief Minister, for six years while three other Sabah Umno leaders - Datuk James Ratib (Sugut), Datuk Mohd Arsad Bistari (Tempasuk) and Datuk Jasnih Daya (Pantai Dalit) - were sacked.
James, Mohd Arsad and Jasnih had quit Umno prior to the official sacking and joined Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) led by Hajiji in February this year.
