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BARISAN Nasional’s decision to leave Gabungan Rakyat Sabah out of its alliance with Pakatan Harapan proves Umno’s central leadership recognises and respects Sabah Umno’s autonomy, said Sabah Umno chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin.
Turning his fire on Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, Bung accused the chief minister of breaking trust from the outset when GRS and BN took power after the Sabah election in 2020.
His resentment among others stems from Hajiji backtracking on a Cabinet arrangement by swapping an agreed portfolio with another post without informing Umno at the start of the new state administration five years ago.
“If he could lie even in the State Palace, what more outside?” he said, referring to the little-reported controversy in which his Cabinet position was switched from Works Minister to Local Government and Housing Minister without warning.
Bung has previously said the Works portfolio was what had been agreed with Hajiji before the swearing-in of his Cabinet in 2020.
The Sabah Umno chief has long made his views known of refusing to form an electoral pact with GRS, but Umno president cum Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi maintained initially for his party leaders in Sabah to keep their options open.
It was late Thursday night that Ahmad Zahid declared that Sabah BN pact and PH would be exclusive for the Sabah election.
Bung also went on to describe GRS as “a fox in sheep’s clothing, pretending to be loyal but clawing greedily for power.”
Bung also threw down a challenge to Hajiji and his allies, including Assistant Finance Minister Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan, to meet him in open debate.
“Politics is not about shouting on TikTok like roosters at dawn but too afraid to step into the arena. It is a field of arguments and truth,” he said.
Speaking during a visit to Sebatik, which he called a BN fortress, Bung voiced confidence the constituency would return to the coalition in the 17th state election.
“The people of Sebatik know who has consistently fought for them, and who only appears when power is at stake,” he said.
Bung, who has long defended the so-called “Kinabalu Move” that saw Sabah Umno withdraw support from Chief Minister Hajiji, said Zahid’s announcement vindicated his position.
He said Umno president and BN chairman Zahid’s declaration that the pact with PH was exclusive, excluding GRS, was a clear sign of respect for Sabah Umno’s autonomy.
“This is recognition that the voice, dignity and rights of Sabahans must be determined by Umno Sabah itself.
“The ‘Kinabalu Move’ was not betrayal, but a dignified response to a leadership that was weak, dishonest and without integrity.” - September 7, 2025
