Leaders dump Sabah Umno en-masse
Published on: Thursday, December 13, 2018
Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Umno created a history of sorts on Wednesday by being the only party in the State's political history so far to experience the worst exodus of members and all at the same time – as correctly predicted will happen around Dec. 10 by the Daily Express two weeks ago.Liaison Chief cum Sulaman Assemblyman Datuk Seri Haji Hajiji Mohd Noor and 13 other elected representatives decided that the relevance of the party that spread its wings to Sabah in 1991 and captured the State Government four years later by ousting Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) – albeit with the help of political frogs – and remained in power for a quarter century had now become politically untenable due to changed circumstances post-GE14.The rest are Beaufort Member of Parliament Datuk Azizah Mohd Dun, Beluran MP Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee, Kudat MP Datuk Abdul Rahim Bakri, Libaran MP Datuk Zakaria Edris, Sipitang MP Yamani Hafez Musa, Karanaan Assemblyman Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun, Usukan Assemblyman Datuk Japlin Akim, Tempasuk Assemblyman Datuk Musbah Jamli, Kawang Datuk Ghulam Haidar Khan Bahadar, Membakut Assemblyman Datuk Arifin Arif, Klias Assemblyman Datuk Isnin Aliasnih, Sindumin Matbali Hj Musah and Apas Assemblyman Datuk Nizam Titingan, as well as its two Senators namely Datuk Ghani Yassin and Datuk John Ambrose.
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Hajiji, Ambrose, Isnin, Ghani, Nizam and Masidi also quit as the Umno division chiefs of Tuaran, Penampang, Beaufort, Pensiangan, Tawau and Ranau, respectively, together with Datuk Gurahman Hj Lolong (Kudat division chief), Datuk Wetrom Bahanda (Kota Marudu), Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak (Kota Belud), Datuk Faisyal Deigo (Kota Kinabalu), Datuk Seri Rahim Ismail (Papar), Datuk Arifin Arif (Kimanis acting division chief), Datuk Isnin Aliasnih (Beaufort), Datuk Sapawi Ahmad (Sipitang), Datuk Ghani Yassin (Pensiangan), Datuk Sairin Karno (Keningau), Samad Jambri (Beluran), Datuk Awang Kadin (Sandakan), Firdaus Akbar Khan (Batu Sapi), Abdul Hakim Sidek (Silam), Datuk Ramlee Marhaban (Semporna), Datuk Juslie Ajirul (Libaran) and Datuk Arsit Sedi (Putatan). Three division chiefs namely Datuk Yakub Khan (Sepangar), Datuk Raime Unggi (Tenom) and Karim Wahid (Kalabakan) have yet to make a decision, while Kinabatangan MP cum Kinabatangan Umno Division Chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, who is also State Umno Liaison Chief, has decided to stay on. Bung is now the de facto leader while the stand of former Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman is still unclear.The move by the leaders to become a pro-government Independent elected representative group reportedly involves more than half the party's approximately 500,000 plus members in the State under them. Announcing their exit from the party in a press conference at Hilton Hotel, Wednesday, Hajiji said they are leaving Umno with a heavy heart but with a clear conscience.
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"We sincerely believe breaking free from the political baggage of the past is the correct decision to allow political renewal for the betterment of Sabah," he said.Hajiji said Sabah Umno was the biggest Umno Chapter in the country with over half a million registered members since its establishment in Sabah in 1991.
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"Sabah Umno has been the backbone of successive state government since 1994 when BN took over from PBS. Sabah Umno is proud of its achievements especially in the development of Sabah since the end of the Chief Minister's rotation in 2003 when an Umno Chief Minister took over to lead the State Government uninterrupted for the next 15 years. "The GE14 saw the end of Barisan Nasional (BN) government both at the Federal & State level. In Sabah no party won the election. A state government was formed only because there were crossovers. Contrary to all the political demagoguery, Parti Warisan Sabah did not win GE14. "GE14 has radically changed the political landscape of the country. The same with Sabah. There are new political equations, unthinkable just a year ago," said Hajiji. He said Sabah Umno accepts the new political realities and are adjusting to them as best as it can."Sabah Umno is a pragmatic party. The well-being of Sabahans and the future of Sabah remain our overriding consideration. So is the unique demographic composition of Sabah."I am proud to say Sabahans are the most tolerant Malaysians. They are also very pragmatic when it comes to politics. They are politically well-informed. The huge number of political parties in Sabah speaks for itself. They frequently change government if and when they feel they have enough of the incumbent. They dare to make changes with little regrets," he said.Looking at the new political realities post GE14, Hajiji said they are of the opinion that Umno's relevance in Sabah has become politically untenable. "Sabah Umno leaders and members need to move on and chart new political direction. It takes a lot of courage and hard work to build a new political movement and entity. But together we can do it. "We have no bitterness against Umno, only some disappointments. I with many of my colleagues have benefited from our association with Umno. It is through Umno that we had the privilege of being appointed as Ministers and other important posts. "Unfortunately Umno is not what it used to be. The current leadership lacks clear political direction. We are not sure where is Umno heading to. There are conflicting accounts of the 'way forward', depending who you talk to at the top leadership. "In our overall analysis of current political trends in this country, we have also taken into account that Umno Sabah have over 100,000 non-Muslim members. Any shift in the political direction of the party would surely jeopardize their continued support for Umno," he said. Hajiji said it is for these reasons that they have decided to take the initiative to chart their own political future. "We will start by disassociating ourselves with Umno so that we are free to consider all available options to chart our future in the new Malaysia. "After much thoughts and discussions, we decided to resign as members of Umno effective today. We are now party-less and would remain as independents until such time when we decide to join the party of our choice." He said all Sabah Umno leaders and elected representatives who are leaving the party have pledged full support to the Pakatan Harapan Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. "In fact all Malaysians should support Tun in his endeavour to make this country great again. Consistent with the above, we would like to also register our pledge to support Datuk Seri Shafie and the State Government of Sabah."We will work hard to serve the people of Sabah and assist the Federal Government in bringing more development to Sabah which the State sorely needs," he said. The nation is facing huge economic challenges and Malaysians should unite to overcome them, he said, adding this is not the time for political bickering and quarrels that would only complicate government's effort to overcome these challenges."I have made it clear from the beginning to all Umno Sabah leaders and members that there is no compulsion in joining us to leave the party. They are free to make their own decision, though I hope all or most of them would eventually join us. "I thank BN/Umno for having given some of us the opportunity to serve the country and Sabah. We will continue to serve the country and our beloved State through a new political vehicle which would be known soon," he said.Their decision also supported by many of Sabah Umno Youth and Puteri leaders and members.When asked where they will go from here, Hajiji who will continue to lead their group of pro-government Independent elected representatives, said they will make the decision when they cross the bridge. He also said they will maintain the existing good relationship with parties in the Gabungan Bersatu Sabah (GBS). Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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