'Old Nyonya' barb rears ugly head in Sabah politics

Sabah DAP committee member Chan Foong Hin has stressed the importance of Umno putting a leash on its youth leaders with regard to the upcoming state election.

"If Umno cannot control or handle youth leaders who are fearless in championing their own agendas, then we'd pay the price in Sabah politics.

"For example, I don't think calling someone an 'old Nyonya' would be accepted here," Chan (above) was quoted as saying by the New Straits Times.

This was in reference to Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh’s diatribe against DAP vice-chairperson Teresa Kok over the halal certification issue.

Akmal called the veteran lawmaker an "old Nyonya" and suggested sticking a "non-halal logo on her forehead", which once again brought the uncomfortable alliance between DAP and Umno into sharp focus.

The Kota Kinabalu MP raised this when responding to Sabah BN chairperson Bung Moktar Radin stating that the BN-Pakatan Harapan formula, which proved effective in last Saturday’s Mahkota by-election in Johor, should be used in the East Malaysian state as well.

However, Chan, who said that a culture of extremism would not be welcomed in Sabah and that personal attacks should be avoided, asked Bung to consider how to handle these issues before discussing collaboration.

"I'm not saying I disagree with him (Bung), but any collaboration should be based on mutual respect," he added.

Sabah polls

Previously, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the party has decided to collaborate with Harapan in the Sabah election.

However, Sabah Harapan chief Christina Liew suggested that it is still open to options.

“So far, I have been asked by the prime minister who is also the Harapan chairperson to work closely within the unity government. He has been telling me that.

“I said, ‘Yes, we are. We will discuss’,” she reportedly said on Sept 4.

The Sabah state government comprises mostly the local coalition government Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) with the help of Sabah Harapan.

GRS and Sabah Umno, however, are on the same page following what transpired in January 2023 when Sabah Umno withdrew its support, which almost resulted in Chief Minister Hajiji Noor being toppled.

Last night, Hajiji said he is still “waiting for inspiration” to dissolve the state legislative assembly.

“If I have the inspiration, I will call the media to announce when the elections will be held,” Sinar Harian quoted him as saying.

Sabah is due for a state election by October next year.

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