UMNO's Growing Strength

It was reported recently that Sabah's Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Yahya Hussin hoped the United Malays National Organization (UMNO) will be able to contest the Putatan parliamentary constituency in the next parliamentary elections.



All the recent developments, from the request for the Merotai state constituency to be given to UMNO, the sacking of Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) community leaders in Kudat, the call for UMNO to increase members in Sepanggar to contest the constituency and the recent expression by Datuk Yahya all seem to suggest one thing; the flexing of UMNO's muscle in Sabah and the gradual loss of influence of other parties within the ruling coalition.



By the the next elections, perhaps less than 5 parliametary seats will be contested by the other coalition members, while less than 15 state seats will be left for them. These seats are probably;


Parliament: Keningau, Kota Kinabalu, Kota Marudu, Penampang


State: Api Api, Bingkor, Kadamaian, Karamunting, Kiulu, Labuk, Luyang, Matunggong, Moyog, Sri Tanjung,Tambunan, Tamparuli, Tandek, Tanjung Papat


This conclusion is based on several calls lately by certain UMNO leaders to contest seats held by other component parties of the coalition. For example, statements made by the UMNO divisions of Kalabakan, Putatan and Sepanggar and the actions by certain UMNO people in Kudat seem to suggest that the other coalition members are not worthy of consideration.


Secondly, the increase in the number of project IC* holders in urban constituencies will help increase support for UMNO. More of these people are now able to purchase houses in new housing estates in urban areas. Most of the project IC holders are UMNO supporters as reflected by the high number of votes gained by UMNO wherever these foreigners constitute a majority.


Thirdly, the increase in the number of Muslim converts in Kadazandusun-Murut majority areas will also increase UMNO's support in these areas. UMNO usually makes its presence felt in Muslim-majority areas. A tour of Muslim-majority villages in Keningau and Ranau will confirm this.


Fourthly, as demonstrated by the cancellation of the rotation system for the Chief Minister's post after the 2004 elections , UMNO is here to make its presence felt and is here to be the boss. This way, no other party can helm the chief ministership. Like the rotation system, there is no guarantee the other component parties' hold on their constituencies will last forever.

The other members in the coalition better voice out their dissatisfaction now or forever hold their peace. Another option would be leaving the coalition like what the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) did. There are already voices of discontent from LDP, but not directly from its president.

There is also a probability that once the Huguan Siou*, Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan retires, there will no longer be a Kadazandusun deputy chief minister, at least not a non-Muslim one.

Whether UMNO or whatever party helms the state government should not be a cause of concern to us. However the real worry is the infiltration of illegal immigrants through the project IC into the ranks of UMNO. What if one day these people dominate UMNO in Sabah? Secondly, is the worry that the state's autonomy would be quickly decreased since UMNO is a Malayan-based party.

Already there have been calls to extend the Aboriginal Affairs Department (JHEOA) and the Rural Development Agency (RDA) to Sabah.

These are the real concerns. Members of other component parties in the ruling coalition might as well dissolve their parties and join UMNO en bloc to prevent foreigners and anti-autonomy elements to dominate the party in Sabah.

*
Project IC: Citizenship cards issued through fraudulent means to foreigners
Huguan Siou: Paramount leader of the Kadazandusun community