Suddenly four-way opposition in the State
Published on: Tuesday, January 03, 2017
SABAH'S political scenario in 2016 saw the level of excitement higher than usual due to unexpected developments which also raised speculations that the 14th General Election may be held soon.Several new opposition parties were established and few alliances were formed – all claiming to struggle or champion Sabah's rights. This situation meant that the people of Sabah now have a range of political parties to choose from, either local-based multiracial opposition parties or the existing peninsula-based parties in the State.
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First there was the suspension of Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, an Umno Vice-President, in June, by the Umno Supreme Council.Shafie's supporters in the East Coast were shocked and angry, describing the decision as unfair treatment to a long-time leader in the party.Sulabayan Assemblyman cum Umno Semporna Vice-Chief Datuk Jaujan Sambakong quit the party together with Umno Semporna permanent chairman Datu Eranza Saribu, 17 main committee members and 300 branch chiefs plus with Youth Chief Mohd Aziz Jamman and Wanita Chief Manis Muka Dara, citing his suspension.Two other assemblymen in the Semporna parliamentary constituency, namely Senallang Assemblyman Datuk Nasir Tun Sakaran and Bugaya Assemblyman Datuk Ramlee Marahaban did not join Jaujan and remained in Umno.
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A week later on June 28, Ramlee countered Jaujan's claim by stating that Umno Semporna is still intact, strong and functioned as one of active party divisions in Sabah.He said Jaujan's claim that 300 branch chiefs with three leaders from the division was not true as only about 50 branch chiefs were involved.
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Ramli, who is also State Finance Assistant Minister, further emphasised that Umno Semporna is not synonymous with Shafie and even without him can stand strong as there are many other credible leaders.He said Umno Semporna comprised 515 branches and of these, 503 branches are active. Few days later, some 15 Umno members including several branch chiefs from Membakut decided to leave the party following a ruling by the Supreme Council members to sack Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, the then Deputy Prime Minister, and former Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhirz Tun Dr Mahathir.Umno Kimanis Deputy Chief Datuk Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif said their departure was a blessing in disguise as the division now has members who are true supporters and loyal to the party and leaders. He said the two State seats are strongholds of Umno and BN.Meanwhile, Nasir was made the acting chief of Umno Semporna who later restructured its committee to further strengthen the division in August.Shafie, the former Minister of Regional and Rural Development, vowed that his resignation from the party would not stop him from continuing to fight for and helping the people in Sabah and went on a roadshow.He said he would not accept the offer of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to be the Deputy President of his new party, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM), as he wanted to lead a new Sabah-based party.On Oct 2, Pakatan Harapan (PH) lost six of its Sabah leaders, including three state assemblymen, who announced their decision to join new local-based political parties.Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Sabah Chairman Datuk Seri Lajim Ukin resigned from the post, followed by the party's Secretary-General Datuk Maijol Mahap, its information chief-cum-Moyog Assemblyman Terrence Siambun and PKR Sabah Wanita Chief Johair Matlani.DAP Likas Assemblyman Junz Wong its State Deputy Chairman Joan Goh also ditched the party to join a local-based opposition party.Lajim also confirmed that 48 committee members from two divisions have resigned to join his "soon-to-be- unveiled local-based party."At the same time, 80 per cent of the State Leadership Council of PKR ditched the party to join Lajim, while Siambun made a stand to continue his political struggle with Penampang MP Darell Leiking and Shafie.However, on Oct 18, Shafie revealed Parti Warisan Sabah as the new name of his party which the Registrar of Societies (RoS) approved after the name change of Parti Pembangunan Warisan Sabah that was applied in 2013 by Darrel Leiking, formerly of PKR.RoS also gave the greenlight for the party's new constitution and logo, adding that the party would be known as Parti Warisan, in short.Shafie said Warisan will be a multiracial party helmed by him while Penampang MP Darell Leiking is his deputy president, followed by three vice presidents – Jaujan, Likas Assemblyman Junz Wong and KDM Malaysia President Datuk Peter Anthony. Moyog Assemblyman-cum-former PKR Sabah Information Chief Terrence Siambun was appointed Treasurer-General and a former PKR member cum lawyer Loretto Padua Jr. was appointed as the party's Secretary-General.The party also upheld the sentiment "Sabah for Sabahans" as among its political struggles in championing Sabah's rights and interests.A week later, on Oct 25, Lajim, who was a former Umno Supreme Council member, announced that RoS had officially approved the formation of his new Sabah-based opposition party, Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah (Harapan Rakyat), of which he is the party president and Maijol his deputy.Lajim said his decision to quit PKR was based on the Sabah people's preference for have a local party to speak for their interests and rights.Following the departure of Lajim, PKR Sabah Deputy Chairman was appointed PKR Sabah acting chairperson and she restructured the State Leadership Council committee by making new appointments that were left vacant by the leaders and divisional members.Liew said PKR Sabah was willing to cooperate with other opposition parties so that the opposition can have a straight fight with BN and to topple Umno and the component parties of BN in the coming GE14 in Sabah.On Dec 20, Lajim launched Harapan Rakyat and announced its new central committee line-up and establishment of 26 divisions, including FT Labuan, at Hakka Hall here.Majiol and Ahsim Jamat were announced as the Deputy President 1 and II, respectively, followed by six vice-presidents including its youth chief Jovilis Majami and Wanita Chief Ester Tion.Lajim claimed the party had so far registered 25,000 members and was expecting more people to join them to fight for a change of government that would really serve Sabah and people's rights and needs.He also called on all local-based and peninsula-based opposition parties in Sabah to show strong unity by forming a pact and go for a one-on-one fight with BN in the coming GE14.He said a roundtable discussion among all the opposition parties in the State would be held to deliberate the matter and reach a consensus.Lajim said Harapan Rakyat is open to have an alliance with other opposition parties in Sabah as their mission, vision and aim are similar.He said the pact must ensure no single political party monopolise a certain number of seats because each opposition party, including the peninsula-based ones, have their own strength.He recommended that the local-based opposition parties contest the State seats while the peninsula-based opposition parties contest only in parliamentary seats in Sabah.Despite the pleas, Shafie's Warisan Sabah remained non-committal in heeding Lajim's call. Apart from these, Gabungan Sabah (United Sabah Alliance) was launched on Nov 20 to pave the way for a better cooperation among local political parties with the establishment of the Gabungan Sabah Charter.Its Chairman Datuk Mohammad Noor Mansor, a veteran politician, said the alliance is currently participated by Sabah Progressive Party, Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star) and Parti Cinta Sabah (PCS).He also called on the local opposition parties to be united and form a strong force to bring a change for the better.Finally in November last year, Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan announced PBS's leadership transition has begun and that as part of the preparatory step in the party's succession plan, PBS Deputy President Datuk Dr Maximus J. Ongkili will oversee all party matters while he (Pairin) continue to carry out his ministerial duties and in other NGOs until the end of the current term of Parliament and State Assembly.Pairin urged all party leaders and members to render Ongkili their support as what they have given to him (Pairin).Pairin, who founded PBS 31 years ago, also confirmed during the party's 31st congress that he will not be contesting in the GE14.He said he wanted to spend more time with his grandchildren and write his unfinished book when he retires.In the forthcoming GE14, there will be 73 State seats and 25 parliamentary seats in the State, following the passing of two bills in the State Assembly sitting on Aug 10 to increase the number of State seats from 60 to 73.The draft of newly drawn election boundaries for the 13 new State seats was first shown in a Sabah map as N02 Bengkoka under Kudat parliamentary constituency, N06 Mengaris in Kota Marudu, N08 Pintasan in Kota Belud, N. 3 Pantai Dalit in Tuaran, N17 Darau in Sepanggar, N24 Tanjung Dumpil in Putatan, N27 Dambai in Papar, N44 Tulid in Pensiangan, N47 Telupid in Beluran, N61 Segama in Silam and N70 Kukusan in Kalabakan.Based on a notice published in a local paper in Sabah, it stated that the total number of voters for the 73 State seats is 995,729.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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