Why has Sabah Umno ruled out an election pact with GRS?

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Sabah Umno Rules Out Election Pact with GRS Due to Collapsed Relationship

Sabah Umno has definitively ruled out any electoral cooperation with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) for the upcoming state election, citing a complete breakdown in trust and a history of betrayal. The party chairman, Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, stated that Sabah Umno is prepared to contest independently, potentially facing head-to-head or multi-cornered fights in numerous constituencies, as they will not engage in negotiations with GRS.
Betrayal Over Seat Allocations and Marginalisation Allegations

A primary reason for the fractured relationship stems from alleged betrayals concerning agreed seat allocations and the planting of candidates in areas traditionally contested by Barisan Nasional (BN). Bung Moktar asserted that Umno was marginalised within the state administration, with his proposals and budget allocations as the state Works Minister reportedly being blocked, while ministries linked to GRS continued to operate without impediment. This experience, he stated, has eroded any remaining trust, making future cooperation untenable.
The "Kinabalu Move" and Loss of Trust

The deep-seated tensions culminated in the "Kinabalu Move" in January 2023, an attempt by Sabah Umno to withdraw support and topple the GRS state government. Although the move ultimately failed to oust Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, it solidified the animosity between the two coalitions. Following this event, Bung Moktar was removed from the state Cabinet, underscoring the extent of the political fallout and the irreparable damage to the alliance.
Focus on Independent Contestation and Potential Alliances

Sabah Umno has set an ambitious target of winning at least 32 seats, with an ultimate goal of 40, and is actively preparing its machinery for contests across rural and semi-urban areas where BN had a significant presence in 2020. While ruling out any pact with GRS, Bung Moktar indicated that discussions with Pakatan Harapan (PH) are progressing positively, suggesting a potential alignment with PH for urban and Chinese-majority seats, a strategy that diverges from federal-level cooperation models.

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Why has Sabah Umno ruled out an election pact with GRS?

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