Kota Kinabalu: United Sabah National Organisation (Usno) Deputy President Datuk Ibrahim Linggam said party president Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Hj Mulia’s decision to quit the state ruling coaltion Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) was hasty, undemocratic and without proper party mandate.
He said it has created rifts among officials, members and supporters.
“The action was approved by only a fraction of the top leadership. Pressure and intimidation were used to secure support, while many others were coerced into complying or face consequences,” he alleged.
Ibrahim said Pandikar failed to take into account the interests and views of thousands of party members statewide, a large majority of whom “want to remain in the coalition”.
“The decision was not collective. It was made too quickly and without looking at how it would affect our members, our political standing and progress of our state. This is not what the party stands for and it certainly does not represent what most of our leaders and members want,” he said in a statement.
Ibrahim refuted claims that the decision was unanimous by the party’s highest decision-making body, the Supreme Executive Council. He claimed the Council has 37 members but during the meeting on April 22, only 18 showed up.
“How can a decision by fewer than half the council be called unanimous or binding? This is factually incorrect and misleading,” he stressed.
According to him, many who were absent have since confirmed they do not support leaving the coalition.
He added that support for GRS remains widespread among party leaders at the central, divisional and branch levels, with many expressing strong backing for GRS Chairman and Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor, and the administration’s development agenda for the state.
“We respect his right to step down as GRS Deputy President. As a party, we remain committed to GRS and we do not agree with the move to withdraw our membership from the coalition.
“The two matters must be seen as separate issues,” he said.
“The president has every right to express his views and make proposals, but the party is bigger than any one individual. Decisions that change the political direction of the organisation must be discussed thoroughly and supported by the majority.”
He said there were no fundamental issues or major conflicts that justified leaving the coalition, noting that relations between Usno and other component parties within GRS remain cordial and cooperative at all levels, from top leadership right down to local communities.
Ibrahim hoped the strong Usno-GRS ties will continue to be maintained and called on all parties to prioritise the interests and development of Sabah.
