KOTA KINABALU: Despite having the autonomy to decide, Sabah Barisan-Umno will not rush into forming alliances with any party or coalition without a clear and well-defined strategy ahead of the state election, says Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin.
The Sabah Umno chief said the party is mature enough that it will not panic and make hasty decisions like their opponents.
“Sabah Barisan-Umno has autonomy, yes, but we are also mature. We understand the meaning of unity, not only at the federal level but also at the state level. We are not hasty in announcing something without strategy.
“We do not follow the panicked rhythm of our opponents — those who argued yesterday, pose for photos together today, and return to backstabbing each other tomorrow,” he said in a statement on Wednesday (Aug 6).
Bung Moktar was responding to Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) vice-president Arthur Sen’s recent statement, who criticised Bung Moktar for using PBS as a political provocation, calling his conduct childish and unfounded.
“He (Bung) acted like a child… saying he does not want to work with PBS. But when did PBS apply to work with you?” Arthur was quoted as saying.
Bung Moktar said he was amused by Arthur’s remark, stressing that Barisan-Umno knows what it is doing and does not need any party, including PBS, to offer unsolicited advice.
“We know when to act, who to work with, and when to stand on our own. We have been consistent from the beginning — we don’t want to work with parties that lack dignity, are insincere, and have a history of betraying their fellow comrades.
“Sabah Umno has had enough experience of being stabbed in the back, and this time, we will not turn back,” he said.
“We are not sulking. We are not threatening. We are preparing.”
Bung said the GRS-led government has failed to deliver on basic needs, with unresolved water issues, unreliable electricity even in towns, and worsening roads.
He added that the economy remained weak, investors are pulling back, and young people are leaving the state.
“GRS is not a unity government — it’s a government in panic, scrambling for new alliances and trading principles just to stay in power,” he said.
