Presence of Warisan, KDM leaders at Sabah Umno Raya open house fuels talk of political cooperation

KOTA KINABALU: The presence of Warisan and Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat (KDM) leaders at the Sabah Umno Hari Raya open house event has intensified speculation of possible political cooperation.

Among those present at the event on Thursday (May 4) were Warisan vice-presidents Datuk Jaujan Sambakong and Datuk Junz Wong, Warisan secretary-general Datuk Loretto Padua as well as KDM deputy president Datuk Wetrom Bahanda.

Deputy Prime Minister and Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who was the guest of honour, also acknowledged the leaders from both parties in his salutations.

Speaking to reporters later, Jaujan said it was commonplace for people to visit each other's Raya open houses.

When pressed further whether their presence signalled a potential Umno-Warisan-KDM cooperation, he said: "Hopefully, it will become a reality."

"As (Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal) said previously, we are open to working together (with Umno) for the sake of Sabahans.

"If that is what the people want, then why not for the next state election?" said the Sulabayan assemblyman.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also Barisan Nasional chairman, when asked in a press conference earlier about the absence of Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) leaders at the open house, he said: "Representatives from GRS attended my earlier function at Maktab Rendah Sains Mara (MRSM) in Kinarut. I reckon that is the manifestation of the togetherness between federal and state governments," he said.

When pressed further on possible cooperation between political parties for the Sabah election, he said: "You should ask (Chief Minister and GRS chairman) Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor."

In his speech earlier, Ahmad Zahid said he hoped to see a stable political situation in Sabah.

"With the leadership of Barisan Nasional, Warisan, KDM and other friends, let's focus on supporting the federal and state governments to give political stability for the sake of development in the state.

"I also pray that Hajiji will be blessed with continued health and hopefully, he can be with us soon," he said. It was reported last week that Hajiji would be undergoing a gallstone removal procedure.

In January this year, Sabah Umno, Warisan and KDM attempt to unseat Hajiji's GRS government failed after several Umno dissidents as well as Sabah Pakatan Harapan assemblymen backed the Chief Minister, giving him a majority in the 79-seat state assembly to continue leading the state.

In the fallout, Sabah Umno chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin was dropped as deputy chief minister and several other state Umno leaders from their state Cabinet posts as well.