Sabah-based BN parties may follow Sarawak – Abdul Rahman
KUALA LUMPUR: Former Umno minister Dato’ Haji Abdul Rahman Dahlan is expecting Sabah-based Barisan Nasional (BN) parties to follow their Sarawak counterparts by exiting the BN and setting up their own coalition.
Rahman said he had expected the decision of the Sarawak BN parties to quit the national coalition after BN suffered a heavy defeat in the 14th general election.
“This scenario is expected in the new political landscape as the parties wish to pursue their individual state rights,” he said.
Sabah BN component parties UPKO, LDP and PBRS have already quit the coalition.
Yesterday, all four parties in the Sarawak BN – PBB, SUPP, PRS and PDP – announced pulling out to form the state-based Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) pact.
Sarawak Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg told a news conference in Kuching that GPS would work with Putrajaya “in the interest of the nation and state rights” based on the Federal Constitution, the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and the principles of federalism.
Rahman said the national political landscape had changed after the defeat of BN and this would lead to realignment of parties.
“Sarawak has made its decision based on local parties. If Sabah parties think the same way, maybe we will see a pan-Borneo pact bringing together Sabah and Sarawak,” he said.
He said the Umno grassroots did not need to worry about the current developments as the party is still the strongest in Parliament commanding 54 seats.
“Even in Sabah, I believe there are still many keen to continue the struggle under Umno.
“Umno need to stay strong and defend the party, and not be distracted by other matters,” he said.
Meanwhile, Umno supreme council member Bung Moktar Radin said the decision of the Sarawak parties to leave BN would definitely affect the revival of the party.
“We recognise the situation Umno is in now and we can see not many want to stick with us.
“We must find new strength because if we are strong, we will be respected. If we are weak, we will be abandoned,” he said.