YOURSAY | Sabah's bitter turmoil an 'acid test' for Anwar

YOURSAY | ‘Right now, Bung's failed move left Hajiji with the upper hand.’

Anwar tries to mend fences in Sabah, but Hajiji seems reluctant

Proarte: We have to ask ourselves what does Sabah stand for as a nation-state? Is there respect for democracy and the rule of law? Why should a disgraceful traitor like Sabah BN chief Bung Moktar Radin be allowed to cause disunity and threaten to bring down the Sabah government through defections?

Currently, there is a simple majority and it is good enough to run Sabah effectively as the latest bills were passed uneventfully. It is about time Sabah shows that it will run its own politics for its own benefit and not for the benefit of peninsula politics which is decidedly shady and self-serving.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is obviously looking to retain Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as Umno president for his own survival, and now it seems he is giving face and even being a cheerleader for Bung, of all people!

Just before the 15th general election, Zahid was regarded as utterly corrupt facing multiple corruption charges. Bung too is facing a corruption trial. He has been an utterly disgraceful Umno parliamentarian with his characteristic sexist, racist and vulgar remarks.

After the election, Bung has shown his true colours by defecting because the anti-hopping law does not apply to Sabah. Sad to see the 'unity' government being dependent on highly dubious characters who are a clear impediment to reformasi.

Anwar must promote the values of reformasi which our neighbour Indonesia is carrying out steadfastly. Anwar should seek guidance from reformist Indonesian President Joko Widodo on how to deal with corrupt and treacherous politicians. Anwar is scrapping at the barrel.

Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor must stick to his guns and not reward treachery.

Bung and his band of traitors should stay in the opposition and fulfil their democratic role thereby keeping the government in check. Sabah should lead the way in good governance. Warisan and the Umno traitors like Bung have shown their hand and it is filthy. The people of Sabah deserve better and let us hope reformasi in politics can begin there at least.

Coward: In my humble opinion, this is ‘sandiwara’ (a show) that the federation actors have to come and "smooth" things over. One thing consistent with frogs, current and ex-Umno MPs is that their principles are all for themselves. They know each other so well that they know what the other side is doing, putting as much pressure as they can to get as much as they can.

Right now, Bung's failed move left Hajiji with the upper hand. If everything goes as it looks to be heading, he will eat the humble pie and come back to his ministry or a job in a government-linked company. He has to, he doesn't have comrades in this fight, only fellow rent seekers that will sell out to the highest bidder, and he is not it.

Hajiji is planning to make him an example but will eventually let him in. He also wants to be chief minister for a while longer.

Newday: Prime minister, it is understood you are a part of a federal unity government with a long-term enemy. That doesn’t have to translate to Sabah.

It is an opportunity to dispose of a highly questionable politician who has more than once dipped his hand in the money gravy train. Am still waiting on the outcome of the Felcra power stations' debacle which has gone very quiet over the last year or so. Bung will not be missed by the majority. Let Sabah sort out its mess.

WhiteKite6010: My view is that even though having Bung as chief minister is questionable, having GRS members as part of the cabinet is not wise either considering Bersatu secretary-general Hamzah Zainudin's statement that their hearts are still with PN.

Just imagine Anwar's cabinet plans and strategies being leaked out to the opposition.

Anonymous_47029368: Hard to believe that Bung would have done what he did on his own without approval from Zahid and possibly Anwar as well. Hajiji and his group were previously from Bersatu, so probably not considered as 'orang sendiri' and so need to be toppled and replaced with 'orang sendiri'.

Their miscalculation is that five Umno assemblypersons dare not follow their instructions as there is no anti-hopping law in Sabah yet. The next thing to expect is that Anwar will ask Harapan to withdraw their support from Hajiji.

Fair Play: The time is now. It’s now or never. Anwar’s negotiation skill is the acid test. If he can pull this through - satisfying all parties in this political imbroglio in Sabah - he would survive for the five of the unity government.

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