Kota Kinabalu: Umno has called for a “cooling off” period in Sabah until a win-win solution to the political impasse in the State can be reached.
Party President Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the decision was made after a special meeting with Sabah Umno, here, Monday.
“We decided on a cooling off period to handle the political crisis in Sabah because we are of the view that there is no problem that cannot be resolved.
“During this period, no speculations or contradictory statements should be made by Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN), and we week the cooperation of Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) on the same,” he told a press conference at the Sabah Umno building.
Also present were Sabah Umno Chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin and other party leaders from the State.
Asked how long the cooling off period will last, Zahid said there was no timeline.
“It (length of cooling off period) is very subjective…slowly but surely (resolution can be reached). If all parties want to seek a solution, we can sit behind closed doors and work out a solid settlement,” he said.
He said various approaches have been put forth to solve the matter, but it can only be successfully implemented with cooperation from all parties.
“In this matter, we definitely give priority to the agenda of Sabah people and also clearing up the existing confusion arising from Sabah politics,” he added.
On Jan 6, Bung announced that Sabah BN had withdrawn support from Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) Chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor as the Chief Minister because Hajiji had allegedly violated an agreement on the formation of the State Government after the 2020 state election.
Zahid said a unity government in Sabah was among the methods of political settlement offered by BN as it involved not only Sabah Government affairs but also Unity Government matters at the federal level.
Asked on the action to be taken against five Umno assemblymen who gave their support to Hajiji and the Sabah Government, Zahid said this issue was discussed at Monday’s meeting and he was confident a good solution could be found later.
“The way of settlement lies with the Umno Disciplinary Board, which will conduct an investigation before referring the matter to the Umno Supreme Council for a decision,” he said.
Asked if he would meet Hajiji to seek a solution to the crisis, Ahmad Zahid said:
“You all understand it very well.”
The five Umno assemblymen who support Hajiji and the State Government are Datuk Shahelmey Yahya (Tanjung Keramat), Datuk James Ratib (Sugut), Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob (Sindumin), Datuk Jasnih Daya (Pantai Dalit) and Datuk Mohd Arsad Bistari (Tempasuk).
On Jan 10, Hajiji announced a reshuffle of the State Cabinet, which included appointing Shahelmey as Deputy Chief Minister III and James as Community Development and People’s Well-being Minister. Two Umno members – Bengkoka Assemblyman Datuk Harun Durabi and Tanjung Batu’s Datuk Andi Suryady Bandy, who had initially supported Bung, were retained as assistant ministers in Hajiji’s reshuffled Cabinet.
