Rubin says not privy to son’s actions
Published on: Monday, November 14, 2022
Bung (left) and Rubin
Tenom: Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) P.181 Tenom Coordinator Datuk Rubin Balang regrets Barisan Nasional (BN) Sabah Chairman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin wanting him sacked from his position in a Sabah government-interest company (GIC).This follows the allegation that he was involved in supporting and helping the campaign of son Riduan Rubin, who is running on an Independent ticket for the Tenom parliamentary seat and who had since joined Parti KDM.
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Rubin said Riduan’s decision to join Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat (KDM) was his own after receiving an offer from KDM President Datuk Peter Anthony.
He said on Nov. 11, 2022, Peter called Riduan and offered him to become a KDM member, which was before polling day, to avoid the Anti-Party Hopping Law.
“I understand after Riduan and his supporters agreed to the offer, Peter’s side contacted me and asked me to come to the KDM office.
“They asked if I objected to Riduan joining KDM. I informed I have no power and right to object or do anything since Riduan is no longer a member because he resigned from Bersatu before nomination day.
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“After that short meeting, I left the KDM office,” he said, in response to allegations that he had violated the terms of the GRS-BN agreement in the 15th General Election (GE15). Rubin, who is also Kemabong Assemblyman, said it should be remembered that in the last Sabah State Election (PRN) 2020, he ran on an Independent ticket.
“After winning as an Independent, I and fellow Independent assemblymen Datuk Masiung Banah and Datuk Ruddy Awah were invited to jointly help form the State Government between GRS and BN/Umno. As a result of that consensus, the State Government formed the GRS-BN State Government today. Under the GRS-BN government Cabinet that was formed, they got important positions, including Bung who was appointed as Deputy Chief Minister and Works Minister.
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“Now after the GRS-BN State Government ruled for more than two years, they asked for me to be kicked out because the BN/Umno candidate for Tenom seat Jamawi Jaafar was angry because my son, Riduan, wanted to run as an Independent candidate.
“Bung should realise that it is unfair to ban any party who is qualified and interested to contest in GE15 because this is a democratic country.
“Riduan’s actions and decision to contest as an Independent candidate was made by himself and his supporters. He has the right to decide his future and political struggle.
“I hope that you who are mature in politics will not be easily influenced by baseless reports by Jamawi who deliberately want to damage my good name,” he said.
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