IN the past few weeks, the country has been embroiled in the KK Mart boycott, a call led by Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh.
His actions and reassertions on the issue remind us of similar antics by Datuk Seri Jamal Yunos that shocked the nation. Every now and then, we are reminded of the actions of a few, with the blessings and encouragement of the higher-ups. Perfectly choreographed actions are put together, with actors and a storyline for the people to digest.
Strangely, the Madani government did not nip the problem from the beginning and let it slide for a few weeks. That led to sporadic attacks in the country and the refusal of the inspector-general of police to act upon it without any police report made against Akmal. It is well documented in the media, and former law minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim commented on the refusal.
Umno and Warisan’s possible collaboration
As the Sabah state election looms, Warisan and Umno could possibly form a strategic partnership.
It is often said that there are no real enemies in politics, but rather a convergence of political agendas working towards a common goal, and this common goal is to wrest control of the Sabah state government from previous administrations.
Over the years, the popularity of Umno in Sabah has declined, and during the 14th general election in 2018, Warisan emerged victorious in the Sabah state election.
However, Sabah Umno still wields considerable influence in the state.
On the other hand, Warisan had sought collaboration with other political parties, but it was outright rejected. As a result, the former rivals, Warisan and Umno, have now forged a strategic partnership by joining forces.
Nevertheless, Warisan’s report card showed significant improvement in policies and its relationship with the federal government. For the first time, after the dissolution of the Emergency Ordinance in 2011, the state runs on a self-governing administration. It also managed to pay up the state debt that was accumulated during the last few administrations.
But the recent controversy sparked by Akmal’s boycott stunt, together with his statement at the Kota Kinabalu district police headquarters, had led many to believe that his actions were intended to tarnish Sabah Umno’s reputation, potentially indicating internal sabotage within the party, especially in the context of the proposed Warisan and Umno partnership.
Additionally, the controversy had made Sabahans’ urge for Malayan-based political parties to abstain from involvement in Sabah politics grow even louder.
If this plea is heeded, it would encompass all Malayan parties, including DAP, PKR, Amanah, PAS, Umno, Barisan Nasional and Muda.
The future presents numerous challenges and obstacles that will be influenced by the actions we take today, shaping a distinct timeline. – April 6, 2024
Remy Majangkim is an MA63 historian, researcher, activist and tutor