Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has called for a “cooling-off period” to give all parties a better understanding of their differences while finding common ground to work out the best solution to the political crisis in Sabah.

Zahid, who is Deputy Prime Minister, said any settlement would need the mutual understanding of Umno-Barisan Nasional (BN) and their political friends in the state.

“During this period of calm, we believe that there are no matters or issues that cannot be solved,” he said.

Zahid told reporters that he had attended the Sabah Umno liaison meeting where they openly discussed Sabah’s present dynamic politics with the Sabah Umno leaders and members of the assembly.

He added that they have decided to make several decisions which included the period of calm or cooling-off period to address the polemic or turmoil in Sabah politics.

“There are many approaches we will take and methods we have arranged but we understand that (a) solution needs a two-way understanding between BN/Umno and friends from other political parties.

“In this matter, our approach is to give priority to the Sabah people’s agenda and to explain the present confusion,” he said during a press conference held at the Umno building near here on Monday.

“I am confident that my presence is a signal that the party’s central leadership have never taken the issues happening in Sabah lightly,” he added.

Zahid also informed reporters that he has taken his own initiative to address the issue and what he will do after this will be known in the near future to ensure a complete solution can be achieved by both parties.

“Meanwhile, I ask that there are no interpretations or speculations or any statements that are contradictory either from the party or the other party to find a common ground between us. And we must respect our differences because all parties want the best solution.

“I am confident that the honesty between us which is the main line and so in this situation, I would like to underline that if all parties want to find a best solution, we can sit down and find the best solution in any situation whatsoever,” he said.

When was asked if it meant that he would be speaking to Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) chairman Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor, Zahid replied: “You understood it very well.”

He was also asked how long would be the ‘cooling-off’ period. He answered that it was subjective but added that it was ‘slowly but surely’.

Zahid was also asked about the fate of the five Umno members who decided to support the GRS government.

The five are Datuk Shahelmey Yahya (Tanjung Keramat), Datuk Jasnih Daya (Pantai Dalit), Datuk James Ratib (Sugut), Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob (Sindumin) and Datuk Mohd Arsad Bistari (Tempasuk).

The Umno president said only four assemby members from Sabah Umno did not follow the party’s move to withdraw the state Barisan Nasional’s support for the GRS coalition government on Jan 6.

“I will iron it out separately. We have discussed the issue just now, and I think some solutions have to be found and I think amicable solutions will be announced later,” he said.

“The solution is we have the Umno disciplinary board. The due process must be done by the disciplinary board before it is handed over to the Supreme Council for decision,” he said.

Zahid also said that the action must be seen as fair and the party must be seen as doing justice to every member.

He was also asked if the assemblymen have been issued letters and he replied that they have heard everyone’s view and he appreciated that there were differences in giving views.

“But eventually, what we agree to do is to have amicable solutions,” he said.

Sabah Umno secretary Datuk Jafry Ariffin later explained that Dr Yusof had applied to join Umno but had yet to be accepted.

Dr Yusof, who won the seat on opposition Parti Warisan’s ticket in the 2020 state election, had quit the party to become government-friendly in Oct 2021. In May last year, he confirmed that he was joining Umno.

On Jan 6, Sabah Umno liaison chief Datuk Seri Panglima Bung Moktar Radin announced that Sabah BN had withdrawn support from Hajiji who managed to secure a 44-seat majority in the 79-member state assembly, enabling him to stay on as Chief Minister and continue spearheading the GRS-led state government.

Hajiji later reshuffled the Sabah State Cabinet by dropping Bung Moktar and appointing Shahelmey as Deputy Chief Minister III and James as Community Development and People’s Well-being Minister.

On Sunday Hajiji announced that he now leads Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah, ending his “party-less” status and strengthening his position as the chief minister.

Source:
courtesy of THE BORNEO POST

by JENNE LAJIUN

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