Game still on, says Bung as Hajiji claims majority support
Sabah BN chief Bung Moktar Radin at Kota Kinabalu airport today on his return from talks with Umno leaders in Kuala Lumpur.
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Umno chief Bung Moktar Radin has declared that the “game is still on” despite chief minister Hajiji Noor’s announcement today that he could continue in office with the support of 44 state assemblymen.
Bung said the outcome of the political turmoil in the state will be known tomorrow night when Pakatan Harapan chairman Anwar Ibrahim and Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi come to Kota Kinabalu.
Anwar, who is prime minister, is currently in Indonesia on a two-day official visit.
Bung spoke to the press at Kota Kinabalu airport after returning from Kuala Lumpur where he had talks yesterday with Zahid and other Umno leaders.
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Umno chief Bung Moktar Radin has declared that the “game is still on” despite chief minister Hajiji Noor’s announcement today that he could continue in office with the support of 44 state assemblymen.
Bung said the outcome of the political turmoil in the state will be known tomorrow night when Pakatan Harapan chairman Anwar Ibrahim and Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi come to Kota Kinabalu.
Anwar, who is prime minister, is currently in Indonesia on a two-day official visit.
Bung spoke to the press at Kota Kinabalu airport after returning from Kuala Lumpur where he had talks yesterday with Zahid and other Umno leaders.
He said: “The ball is still rolling and we wait for the prime minister to come tomorrow. They (Anwar and Zahid) will be meeting us, Warisan and GRS (Gabungan Rakyat Sabah), and then we can comment on the matter.”
On Hajiji’s claim of majority support, he said: “Of course, he has 44 (state assemblymen backing him), those are my people.” He accused Hajiji of “bribing” or luring them away.
Bung repeated his claim that the state government has collapsed with the retraction of support from Umno and Barisan Nasional.
“There is no reason for this state government (to continue existing because) it was formed together (by GRS and BN). So when we pulled out, it means there is no chief minister. (So) the game is still on,” he added.
The Sabah Umno leader said he believed there would not be a swearing-in ceremony for new members of the state Cabinet as rumoured to take place tomorrow.
Bung Moktar Radin (seated, left) with Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (centre) and party leaders in Kuala Lumpur yesterday to discuss the political crisis in Sabah. (Facebook pic)
Asked about his recent meeting with Zahid, Bung said they only discussed BN’s direction as well as the political turmoil. “The results will be known tomorrow,” he said.
Bung had precipitated the current political turmoil on Friday by announcing that Sabah Umno was retracting its support for Hajiji as chief minister for infringing the terms of a political agreement between them after the 2020 Sabah state elections.
Hajiji said earlier today that he had the support of 44 state assemblymen, including five state assemblymen from Umno who had opposed Bung’s move to oust the chief minister.
Asked about his recent meeting with Zahid, Bung said they only discussed BN’s direction as well as the political turmoil. “The results will be known tomorrow,” he said.
Bung had precipitated the current political turmoil on Friday by announcing that Sabah Umno was retracting its support for Hajiji as chief minister for infringing the terms of a political agreement between them after the 2020 Sabah state elections.
Hajiji said earlier today that he had the support of 44 state assemblymen, including five state assemblymen from Umno who had opposed Bung’s move to oust the chief minister.
Bung is making a bet that with weak UMNO Central leadership and Anwar needing to paper over any disputes, he can push for a win this round, without consequences.
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