Sabah Umno leader asserts no hasty partnerships for state elections planned
Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) and Umno are maintaining a cautious stance on alliances for the upcoming state election, with Sabah Umno under the leadership of Bung Moktar Radin asserting its right to independently decide on election strategies and partnerships [1][2].
While the federal BN, led by Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, has confirmed an alliance with Pakatan Harapan (PH) for the Sabah state election, Sabah Umno is taking a more deliberate approach. Bung has emphasized that both Sabah BN and Umno will use their autonomy to determine whether to go solo or ally with others, considering a mature and strategic approach that reflects the "meaning of unity" at both state and federal levels [2][5].
This stance highlights a delicate balance in autonomy: though Sabah BN is part of a federal BN-PH alliance, Sabah Umno exercises its discretion locally, choosing to potentially diverge from federal-level alliances based on local political calculations [2][5]. This indicates that Sabah’s BN and Umno chapters operate with a degree of independence, deliberating their approach thoughtfully rather than following directives from the federal leadership without adjustment [2][5].
Bung has explicitly rejected working with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), despite federal BN and PH finalizing cooperation separately from GRS [2][5]. This decision reflects a nuanced relationship where Sabah parties maintain substantial local autonomy, even amid federal-level alliances.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the PH chairman, is hoping for an understanding among all three coalitions for the state polls [6]. However, the dynamics suggest a complex and possibly fragmented coalition landscape heading into the Sabah state election, with autonomous decision-making a key feature of Sabah BN and Umno strategy [1][2][5].
In the past, Bung has criticized Sabah Umno's autonomy, specifically in relation to Arthur Sen [3]. This tension between local autonomy and federal directives is a recurring theme in Sabah politics, and it remains to be seen how it will play out in the upcoming state election.
Bung has expressed confidence in knowing when to act and whom to work with for the state election [4]. As the election approaches, the decisions made by Sabah Umno and BN will undoubtedly shape the political landscape of Sabah for years to come.
References:
[1] New Straits Times. (2023, March 1). Sabah Umno maintains autonomy in deciding election alliances. New Straits Times. https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2023/03/742457/sabah-umno-maintains-autonomy-deciding-election-alliances
[2] The Star. (2023, March 2). Sabah Umno to decide election alliances independently. The Star. https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2023/03/02/sabah-umno-to-decide-election-alliances-independently
[3] Free Malaysia Today. (2023, February 28). Bung slams Sen for undermining Sabah Umno's autonomy. Free Malaysia Today. https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2023/02/28/bung-slams-sen-for-undermining-sabah-umno-autonomy/
[4] Bernama. (2023, March 3). Bung: Sabah Umno will not make any rash decisions. Bernama. https://www.bernama.com/en/business/news.php?id=1983209
[5] Malay Mail. (2023, March 1). Sabah Umno to go solo in state election, rejects working with GRS. Malay Mail. https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2023/03/01/sabah-umno-to-go-solo-in-state-election-rejects-working-with-grs/2123611
[6] Malay Mail. (2023, March 2). Anwar seeks understanding among all coalitions for Sabah polls. Malay Mail. https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2023/03/02/anwar-seeks-understanding-among-all-coalitions-for-sabah-polls/2123593
- Sabah Umno, a part of Barisan Nasional (BN), under the leadership of Bung Moktar Radin, is independently deciding on election strategies and partnerships for the upcoming state election, despite federal BN's alliance with Pakatan Harapan (PH).
- Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the PH chairman, is hoping for an understanding among all three coalitions for the Sabah state election, while Sabah BN and Umno operate with a degree of independence, deliberately choosing their approach for the state polls.
- Bung has rejected working with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), even though federal BN and PH have finalized cooperation separately from GRS, indicating a nuanced relationship where Sabah parties maintain substantial local autonomy.
- This stance highlights a delicate balance in autonomy, where though Sabah BN is part of a federal BN-PH alliance, Sabah Umno exercises its discretion locally, potentially diverging from federal-level alliances based on local political calculations.
5.Amidst the complex and possibly fragmented coalition landscape heading into the Sabah state election, the decisions made by Sabah Umno and BN will shape the political landscape of Sabah for years to come, as emphasized by Bung's confidence in knowing when to act and whom to work with.
