KOTA KINABALU, Dec 1 — The chief minister’s move to reintroduce Barisan Nasional (BN) into the Sabah government has drawn strong resistance from grassroots leaders within GRS and Upko, who maintain that the electorate had entrusted local coalitions with the mandate to govern.
In a coordinated response, the youth and women’s wings of Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (PGRS) and Upko released statements firmly opposing BN’s participation in the new Cabinet. Their objections come despite BN’s recent election results, where it captured six out of 45 seats, and despite its earlier adversarial stance towards GRS.
Sabah Umno secretary Datuk Jafry Arifin, who held the tourism, culture and environment portfolio from 2020 to 2022, was reappointed to the same post.
The GRS women’s wing argued that BN’s inclusion is inconsistent with the mandate given by Sabah voters. They warned that BN’s history of shifting alliances and internal conflicts could jeopardise the stability that the administration currently enjoys.
They also highlighted that the government already possesses a solid majority comprising GRS assemblymen, independents, Upko, PH and KDM representatives, with additional support from STAR’s two members.
Echoing these concerns, Upko’s youth and women’s wings cautioned that BN’s return could reintroduce the political friction seen during the 2023 “Kinabalu Move,” an episode they said undermined public confidence and contributed to instability.
They stressed that any decision to expand the government should prioritise policy consistency and long-term stability rather than political bargaining.
PGRS Youth similarly stated that BN’s return is inappropriate, citing its recent electoral decline and its repeated criticisms of GRS over the past two years.
All groups underscored that Sabah’s focus must remain on governance and development, not political manoeuvring that risks disrupting stability.