BN MPs invite Anwar to launch of Sabah Reform Front...

Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim has been invited to attend the launch of the Sabah Reform Front in the east Malaysian state this weekend by two serving BN parliamentarians Lajim Ukin (Beaufort) and Wilfred Bumburing (Tuaran).

Sabah PKR liaison chief Ahmad Tamrin Jaini, when contacted by Malaysiakini today, confirmed that Anwar would be in Sabah this weekend on its invitation.

“He has been given the honour of being at the launch of the Sabah Reform Front,” Ahmad Tamrin said, relating that Anwar was invited by the MPs to two events, one in Tuaran and the other in Beaufort.

He said these are not PKR events but functions organised by Lajim and Bumburing (right).

Ahmad Tamrin explained that he was not able to comment on this before as it was just speculation. However, he received the formal invitations from both MPs today.

“This is a great development for PKR. It shows the two MPs may be willing to leave BN and work together with Pakatan to overthrow BN in Sabah,” Ahmad Tamrin speculated.

Asked if the BN parliamentarians would announce their move to leave BN or join Pakatan during the events, the Sabah PKR liaison chief said, "You will have to wait and see."

However, Lakim Ujin when contacted would only say, "It is not confirmed yet", before the call was cut off. Further efforts to contact him until press time have been unsuccessful.

'Disillusioned with the BN'

Speculation has been raging that Bumburing and Lajim have become disillusioned with the BN and may jump ship to throw their support behind the opposition.

Lajim has resigned as Kerambai Kebatu Umno chief and did not defend his post as chairperson of the Beaufort Umno division.

Further fuelling speculation of his intention to leave Umno was his meeting with PAS spiritual leader Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat in Kota Baru earlier this week.

Bumburing resigned as Tuaran BN chairperson days ago and is a member of the political grouping Amanah, which comprises disgruntled current and former BN leaders.

He has said he would be making an important announcement that will impact his political future at an event in Tuaran this weekend.

These developments tally with the analysis by Sabah UiTM political scientist Arnold Puyok, who said at a recent forum on Sabah and Sarawak politics that Pakatan, having been unsuccessful in trying to work with the Sabah faction led by Jeffrey Kitingan, needed another group to assist it on the ground in the Land Below The Wind.

Puyok said the earlier alliance failed because Jeffrey saw Pakatan as unable or unwilling to help him pursue his Borneo agenda, while Anwar considered Jeffrey a dangerous man because if the alliance wins, Pakatan would have to help Jeffrey with his regional agenda.

The analyst predicts that the general election in Sabah will see three-way contests among BN, Jeffrey's United Borneo Front and Pakatan, which will be supported by the new SRF that likely to be led by Bumburing.- malaysiakini 

 

A single spark in SABAH could start a prairie fire...

Although it is now the holly fasting month of Ramadan, the political arena of Sabah is not calm at all. Instead, it is brewing a tide of resignations.

United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) deputy president and Tuaran MP Datuk Wilfred Bumburing, as well as Umno supreme council member and Beaufort representative Datuk Lajim Ukin are expected to announce this Sunday their withdrawal from the BN.

It is also said that they would join the Pakatan Rakyat.

They are holding high party positions and Lajim is even the Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister. There must be reasons for them to "sacrifice" the established interests and join the alternative coalition.

It is heard that Lajim has not been getting well with state Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman, while Wilfred is dissatisfied with the BN. Wilfred advocates that Upko should leave the BN, but leaving the Sabah BN is very likely to lose the opportunity of being fielded in the next general election.

They have a certain level of influence in their respective constituencies. However, it is still not enough to shake the BN.

Previous failures

In fact, DAP Parliamentary Leader Lim Kit Siang had made a prophecy on December 24, 2011 that a huge political change would emerge in Sabah within 24 to 72 hours.

On April 20 this year, Pakatan Rakyat leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahims also pointed out that a major event would take place in Sabah within one or two weeks, in which a number of leaders would come forward to help the Pakatan Rakyat make its way towards Putrajaya.

However, their prophecies were not fulfilled at that time. Some even ridiculed them.

At the end of last year, it was rumoured that Upko president Tan Sri Bernard Dompok had met the alternative coalition, but it was later denied by Bernard himself.

In addition, a rumour was triggered after Wilfred gave up to be reelected as the BN Tuaran chairman, but joined the Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah-led NGO Angkatan Amanah Merdeka (Amanah).

Musa Aman brickwall

Why no action has been taken so far by BN's central leaders, after the Pakatan Rakyat spread the news? Could it be because they take it as another false alarm like the September 16 regime change claim?

It is speculated that the BN might have taken action spending months to negotiate. However, the negotiation failed due to Musa Aman's tough stand.

Lajim disclosed an inside story that he had met the Prime Minister for four times since December 20 last year. He had also told the Deputy Prime Minister and senior ministers in the Cabinet about the changes needed by Sabah Umno and BN. However, his view was not taken seriously.

It showed that Musa Aman is an assertive leader. Among Musa, Lajim and Wilfred, the BN chose the former. Musa, after all, receives greater support in Sabah compared to the other two.

Don't underestimate: A single spark could start a prairie fire

At this very sensitive moment, deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's visit to Sabah this Saturday might be related to the matter. However, based on the Sabah's interest-first political characteristic, a day trip might not be able to change anything.

It is expected that the Sunday's tide of resignation would not set a great blow to the BN. However, if the Pakatan Rakyat make use of the BN's infighting to strengthen the alternative coalition's force or form a new front, the alternative coalition might be able to win six to eight parliamentary seats in the coming general election.

It is estimated that if the Pakatan Rakyat is able to make a breakthrough in the four "fixed deposit" states of the BN, namely Sabah, Sarawak, Johor and Pahang, and increase its number of seats from the existing five to 32, it would then have the opportunity to take over the federal government.

Therefore, do not underestimate a single spark, as it could start a prairie fire. It is another political drama for the people of Sabah and the real fun is yet to come!-Sin Chew Daily

MP BN jemput Anwar ke pelancaran SRF...

Ketua perhubungan PKR Sabah Ahmad Tamrin Jaini mengesahkan bahawa ketua pembangkang Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim dijemput untuk menghadiri pelancaran satu pergerakan politik baru oleh dua orang MP BN Datuk Seri Lajim Ukin (Beaufort) dan Datuk Seri Wilfred Bumburing (Tuaran).

Pergerakan tersebut dikenali dengan nama Angkatan Perubahan Sabah (Sabah Reform Front - SRF).

Tamrin ketika dihubungi Malaysiakini mengesahkan bahawa Anwar akan berada di Sabah pada hujung minggu ini atas jemputan tersebut.

Jelasnya acara tersebut bukan program anjuran PKR mahupun Pakatan Rakyat tetapi dianjurkan oleh dua MP berkenaan.

"Dia telah diberikan penghormatan untuk bersama di dalam pelancaran Angkatan Perubahan Sabah," katanya yang menambah, salah satu program itu akan diadakan di Tuaran dan satu lagi di Beaufort.

Ahmad Tamrin menjelaskan bahawa beliau tidak dapat memberikan komen sebelum ini kerana perkara itu masih merupakan spekulasi.

Bagaimanapun, beliau telah menerima jemputan rasmi daripada kedua-dua MP BN tersebut hari ini, katanya.

"Ini adalah perkembangan yang baik untuk Pakatan. Ini menunjukkan mereka sedia untuk meninggalkan BN dan bekerjasama bersama Pakatan untuk menjatuhkan BN di Sabah," katanya.- malaysiakini





 
cheers.