Bersatu dismisses jibe on defector reliance for Sabah polls

PETALING JAYA: A Sabah Bersatu leader has dismissed claims that the party’s survival in the state hinges on political defectors, expressing confidence that it will gain the support of voters in the state polls next year.

Sabah Bersatu Youth chief Affan Jumahat urged Umno Supreme Council member Puad Zarkashi, who made the allegation, to revisit what had happened after the 2020 state election.

He said 12 assemblymen from Bersatu who won under the Perikatan Nasional (PN) banner had become “refugees” with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah.

“This shows that our (Bersatu) stability and principles remain strong despite the challenges from other quarters,” he told FMT, adding that Puad should reflect on the weakening state of Umno.

“The 14 seats won (by Umno) in the last Sabah election were the result of the party’s negotiations with PN. Without that collaboration, it would have been difficult for Umno to achieve such numbers.

“Moreover, public confidence in the party has been declining in the current political climate,” said Affan, who is also a Bersatu Supreme Council member.

Umno secured 14 seats at the 2020 state election. However, only nine of its assemblymen currently sit in the opposition at the state assembly, with five backing chief minister Hajiji Noor.

Affan expressed confidence that Bersatu would secure support in Sabah, particularly as the party positions the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) as a central pillar of its manifesto for the state election.

“MA63, particularly Article 112C (of the Federal Constitution), will be a key focus. Sabah Bersatu’s efforts to address this issue continue to resonate with the people,” he said.

“In contrast, Umno has often been criticised for failing to meet the aspirations of Sabah’s people during its time in power.”

On Wednesday, Puad said he expected Bersatu to be wiped out in the coming state election if the party did not find new allies with which to face the polls.

He said Bersatu would be hard-pressed to find a suitable poster boy if it were to go solo, while its PN ally PAS had little presence in the Bornean state.

Puad also mocked Sabah Bersatu, saying it only consisted of party-hoppers who used to be from Umno.

Muhyiddin Yassin previously said that PN and Bersatu would take part in the Sabah polls, although no decision had been made on the number of seats to contest and whether to go solo.

Bersatu is expected to lead PN’s charge in the Sabah election, where 73 state assembly seats will be contested.