Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Umno came under fire, Thursday, as a party that cannot be trusted, based on it breaking its own promises before the 2020 state election.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan accused its head Datuk Bung Moktar Radin, of betraying the people’s trust.
The Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star) President accused Bung of reneging an electoral agreement but now attempting to paint himself as a trustworthy politician.
According to Jeffrey, Sabah Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) agreed to contest only 27 seats in the 2020 election.
However, at the last minute Umno broke its pre-election pledge and fielded candidates in 41 constituencies.
“Now, Bung is talking about choosing allies who make good on a promise,” he said.
Records show that Sabah Umno contested 32 seats, while its allies, Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) and MCA contested five and four seats, respectively.
Bung, who is Sabah Barisan Nassional chief, had previously said that Sabah Umno would only cooperate with parties that keep their promises, as past experience had taught the party to be careful when choosing allies.
“Bung is talking as if he can be trusted, when what happened in 2020 was a blatant betrayal by him,” he said.
Jeffrey is confident that opposition parties would face defeat in the coming 17th Sabah state election, which must be held by Dec 6, pursuant to Clause 21(4) of the Constitution of Sabah.
“We are ready to face the election as a united and determined coalition for Sabahans, and I believe the people are with us,” he said.
He said Sabah is in safe hands under the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah-Pakatan Harapan Plus (GRS-PH Plus) coalition led by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. Sabah is enjoying much-needed political stability, which is crucial for economic growth and public welfare.
Despite the ongoing criticism from the opposition, Jeffrey remains unfazed, brushing off attacks against GRS-PH Plus as “cheap potshots”.
“Whatever slander the opposition is spreading will be meaningless when the chips are down,” he said.
Today, GRS is an eight-party governing coalition comprising Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat), Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), Sabah Star, Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP), United Sabah National Organisation (Usno), Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah and Parti Cinta Sabah (PCS).