BARISAN Nasional (BN) has made an about-turn and is now backing the Sabah unity government led by Chief Minister Hajiji Noor. 

In a move that seemed to sideline Sabah Umno chief Bung Moktar Rasin, BN’s secretary-general Zambry Abdul Kadir said the decision was in line with that of the federal unity government. 

“A permanent secretariat of the unity government has been formed to coordinate all the parties that founded it. 

“This includes the decision of the leadership council of the secretariat of the unity government of Malaysia, which convened on February 7, to establish a similar secretariat at the state levels, including Sabah. 

“The Sabah BN is responsible for mobilising all efforts to ensure that this unity agenda can be realised while providing the best service to the people of Sabah through the Sabah unity government,” he said in a statement today. 

Zambry also said that Sabah BN deputy chief Yakub Khan will be the coalition’s liaison in negotiations with the state’s coalition government.  

Last month, Bung, who is also Sabah BN chief, tried to withdraw the coalition’s support for Hajiji.  

The attempt failed when five Sabah Umno assemblymen announced that they would continue supporting Hajiji as chief minister.  

Bung and Yakub lost their posts in the state government when Hajiji carried out a reshuffle of the state cabinet. 

Bung was replaced by Tanjung Keramat assemblyman Shahelmey Yahya. 

Earlier, Sabah MCA said it would also continue supporting Hajiji. The party’s chief Lu Yen Tung also distanced himself from last month’s attempted coup. 

“Never once has Sabah MCA been involved in any attempt to oust the state government led by Hajiji,” Lu said. 

Sabah MCA has no seats in the Sabah legislature, meaning its support one way or another would not have any impact on the chief minister. – February 12, 2023.