Hamzah apologises for Hajiji’s failure in Sabah, says rakyat left to suffer

SHAH ALAM – Bersatu deputy president Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin apologises for the performance of Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, saying the people were the ones who suffered after the latter failed to carry out his duty to strengthen the party.

"I apologise, because it is true that Hajiji was once our representative, but he shifted the support we had built together for the party and ran over to the other side.

"In the end, the ones who suffer are the people. This time, InsyaAllah, the people will return to us and I promise, as deputy president, for the sake of our future, such things will not happen again," he said in a press conference during the party's annual general assembly at the Ideal Convention Centre, here, today.

Over the years, the state has seen its fair share of instability and corruption cases involving senior leaders. Former chief minister Tan Sri Musa Aman, for instance, was charged in 2018 with 46 counts of corruption linked to timber concessions, though all charges were later dropped.

Sabah Umno chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin and his wife Datin Seri Zizie Izette are facing trial over three charges of corruption involving RM2.8 million in Felcra investments. The case is still ongoing.

These issues have contributed to widespread public frustration over governance and accountability in the state.

Hajiji’s alignment with the unity government

Hajiji, who leads Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) is part of the unity government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

His alignment with Pakatan Harapan has reshaped Sabah’s political map, while also straining ties with Barisan Nasional (BN), particularly Bung.

BN and GRS remained rivals in Sabah, with Bung and Hajiji publicly clashing over control of the state government.

Sabah’s ‘love triangle’ politics

Hamzah said the current Sabah situation described as a 'love triangle' reflected disunity within the government.

"As I mentioned earlier, let us look at what we hear today. They appear united, yet at the same time, they are quarrelling with one another. Who is caught in the middle?," he said.

He likened the situation to a marriage where the Prime Minister was tied to both the left and the right, but with the two partners refusing to even speak to each other, a union that only highlighted the disunity within his circle.

"We know that it is leadership from the Prime Minister’s own circle. The Prime Minister is ‘married’ to the left and also ‘married’ to the right, yet the left and right are not even speaking to each other. This shows disunity," he said.

Next Sabah Chief Minister candidate

When asked if Perikatan Nasional had identified a Chief Minister candidate for Sabah, Hamzah confirmedthe coalition already has a name in mind but declined to reveal who the person was.

He added that the candidate will be revealed in the final days before the election.

"Naturally, the candidate is a Sabahan and those contesting are all Sabahans.

"We are only giving our support to ensure the victory of our colleagues in Sabah," he said.