Bung: No rift with Zahid, Sabah Umno holds autonomy

Summary

• Sabah Umno chief Bung Moktar Radin says the state chapter’s absence from an August meeting with BN and Pakatan Harapan leaders was due to scheduling conflicts, not political discord.

• The six-term Kinabatangan MP also says he remains loyal to Umno, and that the party is his lifelong struggle.

INTERVIEW | Sabah Umno chief Bung Moktar Radin has maintained his state chapter’s autonomy amid ongoing seat negotiations for the fast-approaching Sabah polls, while dismissing strained ties with party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Speaking on KiniTV’s podcast, the six-term Kinabatangan MP explained that Sabah Umno’s absence from an August meeting in Seri Perdana - chaired by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim with BN and Pakatan Harapan leaders as well as Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor - was due to scheduling conflicts, not political discord.

“It wasn’t like that (a rift). At the time, we had many programmes in Sabah and couldn’t send delegates. Between Sabah Umno and Umno, there is no crisis,” said Bung.

He stressed that while Zahid remains the ultimate signatory for candidate appointments, all other matters concerning Sabah Umno are managed independently under his leadership.

“If I signed (candidate letters), the Election Commission wouldn’t accept them. So there is no crisis with the president. We walk together, and he has entrusted me to manage Sabah Umno, including the election,” Bung added.

‘Seat talks and coalition strains’

At the time, the meeting was held amid speculations surrounding a “love triangle” between BN, Harapan and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), with Bung having earlier declared that Sabah Umno will clash with GRS candidates while remaining open to consider a post-election pact.

Anwar also said the priority in negotiations was to avoid three-cornered fights that could split the government bloc and confuse Sabah voters.

Subsequently, Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki announced the formation of a technical committee tasked to analyse aspects of cooperation for the Sabah polls, among parties in government.

Quizzed on pressure from Umno leaders to avoid clashes among allies, and if he would consider withdrawing Sabah Umno from BN, Bung said, “Let’s not go that far.”

“So far, no such pressure exists. Politics is an art - the art of wisdom. If we manage crises calmly, God willing, they can be resolved. Leaders who panic under pressure cannot build themselves into wise leaders.”

Out of the 73 seats in the state assembly, Sabah BN won 16 in the last state election, then allied with Perikatan Nasional and Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) against Warisan Plus.

Since then, the political map has shifted - BN now has seven opposition assemblypersons, two appointed representatives, and three government assemblypersons, totalling 12 seats.

Last month, BN deputy chairperson Mohamad Hasan said the coalition intends to contest at least one state seat in all 25 parliamentary constituencies in Sabah.

‘I will never jump’

Despite defections being a common problem in Sabah, Bung maintained his loyalty to Umno.

“Since 2018, I was offered many things to defect - even promises of no court cases if I jumped,” said the former Felcra non-executive chairperson who is defending himself against three corruption charges.

“At the time, 23 divisions switched, leaving only me. But I held firm.

“Sabah Umno’s membership, which dropped to 480,000 during the defections, has now grown to 613,000 under my watch. There is no reason to jump,” he said.

The Lamag assemblyperson, a native Orang Sungai, also insisted that Umno remains his lifelong struggle.

“From my ancestors until today, our struggle has never been about switching parties. Umno is a sacred party, created to achieve independence and uplift religion, race, and nation. Why should we abandon such a party?”

Bung further brushed aside concerns about the instability of coalition governments, saying they have become the international norm.

“When we studied 77 countries worldwide, most are now governed by coalitions. The trend has changed - it’s no longer like 10 or 20 years ago, when a single party could win big majorities like BN once did.

“Of course, there are risks, but that’s where leaders must use wisdom in negotiating with partners,” he said.

Warisan’s ‘local only’ push rejected

The Sabah Umno chief also dismissed Warisan president Shafie Apdal’s call for Sabahans to reject peninsula-based parties.

“A party is just a platform - it’s the leaders who matter. I am from Kinabatangan, leading Umno Sabah, and all our leaders are locals from Sabah, both Muslim and non-Muslim.

“From what I see, Sabahans are not swayed by such arguments. They want leadership. Warisan has governed before, so people know what was delivered. God willing, Umno will have a place in Sabahans’ hearts,” he said, emphasising the strength of the party’s grassroots machinery.

The current five-year term of the 16th Sabah assembly will expire automatically on Nov 11, paving the way for the 17th Sabah state election.

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