Sabah’s political theatre is once again drawing attention, this time with UMNO taking center stage in a narrative of betrayal. Kota Kinabalu UMNO chief Musliati Moslimin recently accused Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) of turning its back on an old partner, claiming that the coalition had wronged her party. However, many observers argue that this tale lacks substance and conveniently omits UMNO’s own track record in the state.
To understand the skepticism surrounding Musliati’s statement, one needs to revisit the events of the 2020 Sabah state election. At the time, GRS was newly formed, intended as a united front to challenge Warisan’s hold on the state. UMNO was allotted 27 seats as part of a strategic agreement. However, on nomination day, UMNO moved unilaterally, fielding candidates in 41 constituencies. This act has since been viewed by many as a breach of trust.
The tension didn’t end there. In early 2023, the political landscape in Sabah was once again rocked by what became known as the "Langkah Kinabalu" move—an alleged attempt by UMNO to destabilize the GRS-led state government under Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. Though unsuccessful, the move further eroded trust between the two entities, with many of the same voices now crying foul having backed the earlier destabilization effort.
In the 15th General Election (GE15), UMNO saw a clear rejection at the polls, yet found its way back into government through an alliance with Pakatan Harapan (PH)—the very coalition it had frequently criticized. For some, this move was seen not as pragmatism, but as political inconsistency.
For UMNO to now claim the role of the aggrieved party appears inconsistent with its recent actions. Sabahans, known for their keen political awareness, have not forgotten the events of 2020 or the disruption in 2023. These incidents, alongside UMNO’s ongoing focus on seat negotiations and ministerial posts, have contributed to the party’s eroding credibility in the state.
In contrast, GRS has largely remained focused on governance and economic recovery efforts. Voters are increasingly demanding performance over rhetoric, and it appears they are less tolerant of political grandstanding than in the past.
Ultimately, public trust is not something that can be demanded—it must be earned. And in Sabah, UMNO seems to be facing the consequences of its own political choices.
Kamran (kfiverr21@gmail.com) is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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