Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) called on Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, who is also Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) Chairman, to take disciplinary action against Independent Kemabong Assemblyman Datuk Rubin Balang for “violating the terms of the GRS-BN agreement” in GE15.
It follows Rubin’s alleged involvement as a GRS-friendly representative to mastermind the candidacy of his son, Riduan Rubin, who registered as an Independent on nomination day but has since joined Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat (PKDM).
Sabah BN Chairman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin said the action was against the GRS-BN agreement and did not reflect the spirit of friendship between the two coalitions.
He said disciplinary action should be taken against leaders who violate the agreement, including terminating their appointment as chairman or any position in any government-related agency or corporation (GLC).
“This violation of the agreement gives a negative impression of the GRS-BN cooperation and will damage the support for the BN candidate Jamawi Jaafar in the Tenom parliamentary seat,” he said during a campaign at Taun Gusi in Kota Belud.
He said disciplinary action should be taken immediately as a reminder to all members and leaders of GRS-BN not to take lightly the cooperation signed by both parties.
Riduan’s entry into KDM is believed to be to get the support of the party led by Melalap Assemblyman Datuk Peter Anthony who is also PKDM President.
Peter’s nomination was rejected on nomination day (Nov 5) that caused a riot and his subsequent detention.
Riduan, who was Tenom Armada chief, broke ranks by contesting in the seat against Barisan Nasional’s Umno candidate Datuk Jamawi Jaafar.
Rubin is currently a member of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, a component of the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah coalition.
During state 2020 election, he had contested as an independent and later joined GRS under Bersatu. He was also among those eyeing the Tenom seat, but under the GRS-BN electoral pact, the seat was given to Umno to contest.
The Tenom seat is a five-cornered fight between incumbent Noorita Sual from DAP, Umno’s Jamawi, Warisan’s Ukim Buandi, Riduan and another independent, 23-year-old Peggy Chaw.
Asked whether Riduan’s entry into PKDM would contravene the constitutional amendment against political defections, the PKDM source said it was still legitimate as there were no election results yet.
Under the amendment, Riduan would have to officially remain as an independent if he were to win the seat.