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BARISAN Nasional (BN) has reaffirmed its commitment to resolving internal party matters discreetly, including developments concerning the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC), as the coalition maintains its focus on the ongoing Sabah state election.
BN Secretary-General Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said the coalition prefers to settle issues internally rather than engaging in public disputes.
“When there is a problem or anything arises, we sit together and discuss it. That has been BN’s tradition for a long time.
“We do not like to quarrel in public,” he said during a visit to the University Malaysia Sabah Teaching Hospital (HUMS) and two student residence blocks at the university on Saturday.
Dr Zambry’s remarks came after MIC President Tan Sri S.A. Vigneswaran indicated that the party is open to meeting BN leadership to discuss its future within the coalition.
Previously, MIC’s annual general assembly had approved a motion to leave BN and join Perikatan Nasional (PN), though Vigneswaran later deferred the decision to the party’s Central Working Committee.
Zambry emphasised that any MIC-related issues will be addressed after the conclusion of the Sabah state election.
“I have already stated a few days ago that our priority is the ongoing Sabah state election. MIC leaders understand that we will resolve the matter after the election. We will meet, discuss, and have a coffee,” he said.
Turning to the education front, Dr Zambry confirmed that HUMS, which is now 96 percent complete, is expected to be fully operational by the second quarter of next year, offering 400 beds.
The primary care centre at HUMS is scheduled to begin operations on 12 December.
“Only a few percent remains to be completed. I have instructed that if any part is ready, we should start operations,” he said.
He acknowledged previous delays in the hospital’s construction and pledged to expedite completion.
“When I visited, I ensured that the project must be accelerated and that delays are not excessively prolonged. This is the Madani Government’s approach, ensuring that ministers personally oversee progress,” he added.
Dr Zambry also announced ministerial approval for the establishment of law faculties at University Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and University Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), alongside plans for Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) to expand its law faculty to Sabah and Sarawak.
“This is good news for the people of Sabah as we are responding to their suggestions,” he said.
Regarding the two student residence blocks at UMS, Dr Zambry explained that legal and technical issues had previously prevented occupancy despite the buildings being completed.
“We have reached an agreement to rectify the deficiencies and initiate student placement. UMS urgently needs student accommodation,” he stated.
With these measures, BN aims to maintain its political focus in Sabah while ensuring critical educational infrastructure and healthcare facilities progress smoothly. - November 22, 2025