‘Without Sabah Umno, smaller parties are nobody’

Political stability in Sabah BN is coming under heavy strain, especially after Umno moved into the state.

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah deputy Umno chief Salleh Tun Said is rallying the Barisan Nasional (BN) troops to defend Chief Minister Musa Aman.

But his call merely shows up the simmering discontent among the smaller parties within the BN, which is threatening to destroy the coalition.


Salleh yesterday urged state Umno leaders to defend Musa against “unjust accusations” either from the opposition or certain disgruntled leaders within BN itself.

His comment was seen as aimed at fellow BN member, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), which has openly questioned Musa’s competence.

Salleh, who himself was sidelined by Musa after the 2008 general election, was only brought back into the state administration recently.

He has until now been quiet about the spate of attacks against his boss.

But his call to rally the troops against barbs aimed at Musa is seen as redemption.

“They do not realise that without us (Sabah Umno) they are nobody and that without them we are still who we are. The chief minister is our leader, a friend and a family to us.

“Criticising him is like criticising us and therefore we must defend our leader to ensure he is respected,” said Salleh, who was appointed State Legislative Assembly speaker by Musa earlier this year.

He brushed off growing criticism against Musa who he said must continue as chief minister even after the next general election.

Salleh said that under his boss, Umno and BN had become stronger and more stable in Sabah.

“The general election will be held not long from now and for us, we want Musa to continue to lead us. For us, there is only one leader.”

Political wisdom

Paying glowing tribute to Musa’s chief ministership, Salleh said Musa’s political wisdom had been proven as he had managed to unite the state and had ensured “development and prosperity for the people of Sabah”.

He equated Musa’s critics to being anti-Umno.

“We are viewed as an important component that contributes significantly to the strength of BN as a whole and it is our responsibility to ensure that we remain strong,” he said.

Former LDP member Peter Pang, who switched parties to join Gerakan last month, and was rewarded with a position in Musa’s state cabinet, also came to the defence of his boss and lashed out at his former party colleagues.

Pang also said Umno and Musa had been “more than accommodating to the Chinese community”, contradicting talk among many in business circles that they have been shut out.

However, leaders in smaller BN component parties like LDP, Upko and Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) are continuing to shed the stereotype of being government rubber stamps.

Meanwhile, fellow BN powerhouse, Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), continues to be mired in undesirable and often uncontrollable situations.

PBS is trying to consolidate its position in the ruling coalition by integrating its shared goals with Musa and Sabah Umno, and thereby creating a new political power structure in the state and country.

By Michael Kaung