Sabah Umno denied autonomy to decide on allies for next state election

Sabah Umno deputy chief Abdul Rahman Dahlan said the central leadership wanted to ensure that decisions made by the states were in line with its stance. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: A request by Sabah Umno to be given the autonomy to choose its ally for the next state election has been denied by the central leadership.

In revealing this, Sabah Umno deputy chief Abdul Rahman Dahlan said the request was denied as the party wanted to avoid “awkward situations” regarding its policies.

The central leadership also wanted to ensure that decisions made by the states were in line with its stance, he said.

“If the Umno chapters adopted different stances it would complicate matters when it comes to synchronising our policies.

“And it would be difficult to deal with such awkwardness. Which is why the party does not want to give Sabah, or any state for that matter, the authority (to decide on certain matters),” he said in a video that was uploaded on Facebook.

In December, Rahman denied claims the chapter would be working with Warisan in the next state election.

Rahman said Sabah Umno had yet to decide on any partner for the polls.

The former federal minister had said this when responding to a claim by Warisan president Shafie Apdal that the party and Sabah Umno would be working together in the next state election.

Shafie, a former Sabah chief minister, also said Sabah Umno chief Bung Moktar Radin had agreed to an alliance to take on Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), led by chief minister Hajiji Noor.

The term of the current Sabah government will expire in October 2025.

However, Hajiji has hinted at the possibility of the state election being held as early as this year.

In March, Sabah Umno information chief Suhaimi Nasir said it was still exploring the possibility of going solo in the next state election.

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said last month that party leaders, especially in Sabah, must focus on strengthening the party first before starting negotiations on any political collaboration.