GRS a 'liability' to BN in state polls, says Sabah Umno info chief

INTERVIEW | Mounting pressure for more prosecutions in the Sabah mining licence corruption scandal has prompted a senior state Umno leader to describe Gabungan Rakyat Sabah as a “liability” in the ongoing “love triangle” with Pakatan Harapan.

In making the remark, Sabah Umno information chief Suhaimi Nasir maintained BN’s reservations on formal cooperation with GRS, led by Chief Minister Hajiji Noor, while Harapan assumes the matchmaker role in seat negotiations ahead of the 17th state polls.

“It’s not that we don’t want to merge - we do, for the sake of unity. But if we merge, we’ll also be tainted by corruption issues, administrative problems, and, not to mention, various lies.

“In short, if we join forces, they (GRS) will become our liability,” the Libaran MP replied when asked to elaborate on factors that contribute to Sabah Umno’s resistance to cooperation with GRS.

Last November, Malaysiakini exposed the alleged corruption scandal based on a series of leaked videos, which, to date, has seen only two lawmakers charged, along with businessperson-turned-whistleblower Albert Tei.

Apart from Hajiji, the series of leaked video recordings also exposed alleged dealings involving various state ministers and assemblypersons.

All the GRS leaders whom Tei accused of accepting bribes from him have denied the allegations.

Sour ties

Even before the recent developments, ties between BN and GRS were already sour after Sabah BN withdrew support for Hajiji’s government in 2023.

At the time, Sabah BN chief Bung Moktar Radin had accused Hajiji of breaching an understanding whereby the coalition would support Hajiji’s leadership in exchange for positions in the state cabinet and government-linked companies.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who is also Harapan chief, during a visit to Sabah earlier this month, had alluded to the current “love triangle” and expressed hope to avert electoral clashes between BN and GRS.

However, Suhaimi expressed reservations, stating, “During the campaign period, will we have to cover for their (GRS) problems?

“The people are already angry about water, electricity, and road issues - how are we going to answer that?” stressed the Libaran Umno chief.

In the Dewan Rakyat yesterday, Semporna MP Shafie Apdal vowed that should Warisan lead the state government after the upcoming Sabah polls, they will pursue charges against more GRS politicians who were implicated in the scandal.

No other lawmakers charged?

Nearly six months after the scandal broke, Tei claimed trial to two counts of giving bribes under Section 16(b)(B) of the MACC Act 2009.

He was accused of bribing Sabah Assistant Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Andi Suryady Bandy and Sindumin assemblyperson Yusof Yacob to help with obtaining mineral prospecting licences.

Both Andi and Yusof were also charged under the MACC Act, but various Sabah leaders have questioned why no other lawmakers have been prosecuted since.

“(The reason) we were adamant not to cooperate with GRS? It is because of this issue. This failure (to act),” said Suhaimi.

Leading up to an expected dissolution of the Sabah state assembly next month, BN and GRS have separately pledged an alliance with Harapan.

However, Sabah Umno has indicated that the party’s candidates are expected to face off with GRS and state-opposition Warisan in multiple-cornered contests.

“This clash is similar to what happened in the 15th and 16th state elections, and now heading into the 17th - the same kind of clash with Warisan.

“At the same time, we see that while coalitions are not necessarily bad, there are still seat overlaps.

“So potentially, there could be negative outcomes when clashes happen between all the parties, because all these coalitions consist of big parties: BN, Harapan, and GRS itself.

“If this happens, people will wonder where Sabah is headed and in what direction,” said Suhaimi, adding that the next state government should be one with a clear focus on how Sabah can benefit from its wealth of resources.

Seat battle

Yesterday, Bung reportedly said BN is open to negotiating post-election cooperation with any coalition, including GRS, but Umno will first do battle in the expected seat clashes.

Asked whether the outcome of the state election will reflect voters’ sentiment for the next general election, Suhaimi said, “Yes. I see that as what will happen.”

“For example, right now, BN has seven parliamentary seats. If we win the state election, insyaAllah, BN will win 12 parliamentary seats in the East Coast of Sabah, except for Semporna.

“These seats include Umno’s traditional seats such as Batu Sapi, Beluran, and Kota Belud,” he said, referring to former Umno-held Parliament seats lost to GRS and Warisan in the last general election.

It was previously reported that 23 registered political parties are expected to contest the 17th state polls, with an automatic dissolution of the 73-seat state assembly, on Nov 11.

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