The Sabah legislative assembly was dissolved today, paving the way for the 17th state election to be held within 60 days.
Ligunjang, a rights activist, said bringing Umno back to power in Sabah through a possible tie-up with Warisan would reverse the state’s progress and ignore the real causes of its economic struggles, including systemic underdevelopment, corruption, and mismanagement.
“In this election, voters are faced with two choices: GRS-PH or Warisan-Umno,” he said, according to Jesselton Times.
“I choose the former and refuse to gamble with Sabah’s future by supporting the latter. Believing in Warisan’s rhetoric is akin to stepping into a fantasy world.”
Ligunjang said the GRS-PH alliance has demonstrated tangible progress over the past five years, driving economic growth and transformation under the leadership of chief minister Hajiji Noor.
He noted that the partnership had successfully expanded Sabah’s revenue base with minimal interference from the federal government, enabling more autonomous and locally driven economic policies.
Ligunjang said Hajiji’s steady leadership had restored investor confidence and placed Sabah on a path towards renewed prosperity.
“The political stability we’ve enjoyed under Hajiji’s leadership has been key to long-term planning and investment – essential factors for sustainable development and poverty reduction,” he said.
Speculation about a covert Warisan-BN pact – dubbed “Kinabalu Move 2.0” – has gained traction recently following reports of a closed-door meeting between the party leaders.
Sources within Umno’s Supreme Council were reported as claiming that Warisan president Shafie Apdal and BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi may have discussed an alliance to form the state government, with the possibility of Umno taking the chief minister’s post.
Shafie had previously insisted that Warisan would contest all 73 state assembly seats in the upcoming state election. However, he made no mention of potential post-election cooperation.
Meanwhile, Zahid was reported to have said that Umno would be willing to work with any coalition or party, except Gabungan Rakyat Sabah.
Founded in 2016 following Shafie’s acrimonious departure from Umno, Warisan went on to win 21 seats at the 2018 state election.