Not Impossible For Splinter Parties To Return To Umno's Fold

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 12 (Bernama) -- Based on the current political scenario, it is hard for Umno splinter parties to return to the party like what happened to Semangat 46 (S46) in May 1996, but in politics anything is possible, say several political analysts.

One of them, Assoc Prof Datuk Zainal Abidin Borhan said the leadership factor played a crucial role in ensuring the return of the splinter parties to Umno's fold.

"This can be realised if all the party leaders can sit and discuss among themselves, but this is not easy because until today, there is still no response to the friendship extended to them by Umno.

"Yet, unity is possible. It all comes back to the leadership factor, like in the case of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad 'softening' Tengku Razaleigh and his S46," he told Bernama.

Last Thursday, Dr Mahathir called on the Malays, as well as Umno splinter parties, to unite and return to Umno, which he said, was the most appropriate party to unite the Malays and bring development to the people.

No room in BN for those obsessed with positions – Najib

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak visiting Baazar Ramadhan in Bongawan, Papar, Sabah

KIMANIS: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said that there is no room in Barisan Nasional for leaders clamouring for positions since the obsession was reflective of their hidden agendas.

“There is nothing wrong to want something, we are human and we all have our needs, but when you are want something so much, it shows you are not sincere. You have something up your sleeves.

“A good leader is one who does not expect something in return, one who is sincere and is willing to work hard for the good of the people, rather than for his own interest,” he said, reminding BN leaders during a breaking of the fast and at a meet-the- people sessions for Umno Zone III, comprising Papar, Kimanis and Sipitang, at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Bongawan II yesterday.

PM: RCI given 6 months to investigate influx of Sabah illegal immigrants

Datuk Seri Najib Razak in Papar, Sabah.

KOTA KINABALU -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak in announcing the details and terms of reference on the setting up of the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) on Illegal Immigrants in Sabah here today, said it would be given six months to complete its investigation on the influx of illegal immigrants in Sabah.

He said the six months period would begin from the date the instrument of appointments were issued to the RCI chairman and panel members and that the report would be submitted to Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Sabah BN more solid now – Mojigoh

Datuk Dr Marcus Makin Mojigoh.

by Jenne Lajiun. Posted on August 8, 2012, Wednesday

PUTATAN: Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) is more solid now than it was before the defection of several leaders, according to Putatan Member of Parliament Datuk Dr Marcus Makin Mojigoh.

This is because those who had made the ruling coalition unstable had left, he said at a ceremony where he presented ‘moreh’ to 11 mosques and suraus in the district yesterday. He said he nevertheless respected their decisions and wished them the best of luck.

Mojigoh was asked to comment on the decision by Datuk Lajim Haji Ukin to resign from his posts as Umno Supreme Council member and Beaufort Umno and BN division chief with immediate effect and to declare his allegiance to Pakatan Rakyat.

He said, “It is his right. We cannot call him a traitor because our country runs on democracy.”

Dompok Yakin Tiada Lagi Anggota Keluar UPKO

Tan Sri Bernard Dompok

PUTRAJAYA, 7 Ogos (Bernama) -- Presiden Pertubuhan Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Bersatu (UPKO) Tan Sri Bernard Dompok yakin tiada lagi wakil rakyatnya akan bertindak keluar parti dan menyokong pembangkang.

Sehubungan itu beliau menggesa pihak yang berkenaan agar berhenti daripada menyebarkan desas-desus berkaitan perkara tersebut, susulan tindakan Timbalan Presiden parti Datuk Wilfred Bumburing yang juga Anggota Parlimen Tuaran meninggalkan UPKO.

"UPKO menentang tindakan itu (ahli politik lompat parti). Khabar angin ini telah lama tersebar dalam parti. PM (Perdana Menteri) tahu mengenai perkara ini kerana saya telah maklumkan kepada beliau.

"Sekarang perkara itu telah berlaku dan saya yakin tidak ada lagi MP (anggota parlimen) dan Adun (Anggota Dewan Undangan Negeri) yang akan keluar parti," katanya kepada pemberita Selasa.

Terdahulu, Dompok yang juga Menteri Perusahaan Perladangan dan Komoditi melancarkan sambutan hari kebangsaan kementeriannya, Jabatan Audit Negara dan Jabatan Imigresen, di sini.

Umno, Sabah BN Continue To Be Firm - Shafie

Mohd Shafie Apda

SEMPORNA, Aug 5 (Bernama) -- Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) will remain strong and the party will continue to implement the needful to maintain the status quo.

Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said the claim that Umno and Sabah BN were no longer strong was just a political ploy of the opposition, especially its adviser, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He said Anwar's exaggerations gave the impression that Sabah BN was weak.

"We are not overly worried about the exaggerations. We will take certain measures to ensure Umno and BN in Sabah are strengthened.

"BN component parties play an important role to ensure BN continues to remain strong," he said after a special meeting with village heads and chairmen of village development and security committees here today.

Shafie, who is also rural and regional development minister, was commenting on Anwar's eagerness to come to Sabah next week, reportedly with a `surprise'.

He noted that as the opposition under Anwar did not get a place or make a major impact in the previous general election in Sarawak -- despite numerous exaggerations -- it would experience the same in Sabah.

On the repercussions of Datuk Seri Lajim Ukin's resignation from posts in Umno, to Sabah Umno, Shafie said Beaufort Umno division acting chief Isnin Aliasnih was currently organising his committee to strengthen the division.

Lajim has announced his resignation as a member of the Umno Supreme Council, Beaufort Umno division head and Beaufort Barisan Nasional chairman.

-- BERNAMA

BN Sabah Ada Calon Sesuai Ganti Wakil Rakyat Keluar Parti - Ahmad Maslan

Datuk Ahmad Maslan

KOTA KINABALU, 3 Ogos (Bernama) -- Barisan Nasional (BN) Sabah mempunyai calon berwibawa untuk mengisi slot yang dikosongkan oleh anggota parlimennya yang bertindak keluar parti.

Ketua Penerangan Umno Datuk Ahmad Maslan berkata BN Sabah juga tidak akan hancur dengan tindakan wakil rakyat terbabit.

"...ahli parlimen (BN) yang keluar baru empat, sedangkan Yang Berhormat pembangkang sudah keluar 13 iaitu enam dari PKR (Parti Keadilan Rakyat), lima anggota dewan undangan negeri PKR jadi Bebas, satu dari DAP dan satu dari PAS keluar (parti) dalam penggal ini.

"Kalau mereka kata BN hancur, mereka silap kerana angka itu menunjukkan pembangkang yang hancur bukan BN," katanya kepada Bernama selepas menghadiri Program Nur Ramadan di Masjid Jamek Kampung Likas, di sini malam Khamis.

Tindakan Parti Maju Sabah (SAPP) keluar daripada BN pada 17 Sept 2008 mengakibatkan BN kehilangan dua kerusi parlimen iaitu Sepanggar dan Tawau serta dua kerusi negeri iaitu Likas dan Luyang.

-- BERNAMA