17/08/2025

NATIONAL 3 theSun on Sunday AUG 17, 2025

Sabah seen as benchmark for PH–BN unity formula

PETALING JAYA: The Higher Education Ministry has welcomed a proposal by Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman that school administrations found to have condoned bullying within their compounds should face stern action. This follows criticism over delayed action against the administration of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama Tun Datu Mustapha in Papar, Sabah, after the death of Form One student Zara Qairina Mahathir on July 16, which is suspected to be linked to bullying. Higher Education Deputy Minister Datuk Mustapha Sakmud said such measures would reflect the government’s commitment to tackling bullying. “I agree that we need to eradicate bullying cases, which means we must ensure that anyone involved, whether it is school management, students or other parties, faces action. They must be given a clear signal that we are serious about implementing interventions in bullying cases,” he told theSun in Parliament on Wednesday. He added that a lot of false information had circulated online following the incident, sparking various reactions, including allegations of VIP involvement in a cover-up. “What’s important is that we want justice to be served in Zara’s case and this will serve as an example for us to carry out interventions in other cases. I hope this becomes a lesson for all parties so that we can handle such cases properly and provide accurate information to the public to avoid all kinds of baseless speculation,” he said. During the debate on the 13th Malaysia Plan, Syed Saddiq also urged action against school administrators whose negligence leads to injury or death of students. “If parents can face criminal charges for neglect at home that results in injury to their child, the same standard should apply to school authorities. The responsibility carried by parents should also be placed on school administrators so that bullying is taken seriously. In short, all forms of support for bullying must stop,” he said. On Friday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim urged the public not to speculate on Zara Qairina’s death and to allow the investigation to take its course. – by Ikhwan Zulkaflee Govt backs stern action on schools that allow bullying Training Completion Parade and Commissioning Ceremony yesterday. Ahmad Zahid was earlier reported as saying that negotiations on cooperation and seat distribution within the BN, PH and GRS alliance for the state election were nearly complete. – Bernama

Observers say failure to manage tensions in state polls may weaken federal coalition ahead of GE16

Ű BY IKHWAN ZULKAFLEE newsdesk@thesundaily.com

assembly. According to the state constitution, it does not matter which party it is, the one that commands majority support will be presented to the palace to be appointed as chief minister. “So for now, each party may have its own candidate, but in the end it comes down to the constitution. Whoever secures majority support will be the one put forward to the palace as the chief minister,” he told theSun in Parliament on Wednesday. Despite an agreement at the federal level, with PH chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi both stating that PH and BN would form an electoral pact with GRS to avoid clashes across the 73 state seats, it is widely known that Sabah BN and GRS are not on good terms. Sabah BN, led by Datuk Bung Moktar Radin – who is also touted as its candidate for chief minister – is a known rival of GRS chief Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, who currently holds the post. It was reported that Bung is seeking for BN to contest 38 to 40 seats, with the remainder remains an ordinary member for too long,” he told theSun via WhatsApp. He suggested PKR consider giving Tengku Zafrul a key position, either leading Selangor PKR or helming the party’s economic or trade bureau. However, Nusantara Academy of Strategic Research senior fellow Prof Dr Azmi Hassan questioned whether Tengku Zafrul could truly thrive in PKR. “If he couldn’t survive and grow in Umno, even when he was given everything on a silver platter, there’s no guarantee things will be different in PKR. PKR politics is no less brutal and like Umno it requires strong grassroots support,” he said.

PETALING JAYA: The decision by Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz to officially join PKR has divided political analysts. Some view it as a strategic boost to the party’s economic credentials ahead of the 16th general election (GE16), while others question his staying power and grassroots appeal. Universiti Malaya political analyst Dr Mohammad Tawfik Yaakub described Tengku Zafrul’s move as a timely opportunity for PKR to strengthen its economic profile. “His experience serving as a minister under three different administrations is a valuable asset that PKR should fully utilise. “It would be a waste if he PETALING JAYA: Although Pakatan Harapan (PH) has agreed with Barisan Nasional (BN) to avoid contesting against each other in the upcoming 17th Sabah state election, it has yet to reveal who it will back as the next chief minister. Sabah PKR chief Datuk Mustapha Sakmud said negotiations between PH and BN had been concluded, but talks with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) – a coalition of eight Sabah based parties – were ongoing. He explained that the negotiations were aimed at preventing electoral clashes among “allied” coalitions – PH, BN and GRS – in the state election, with the current assembly set to dissolve automatically in November. Mustapha said whichever party secured the majority of seats in the election would be entitled to the chief minister’s post. “The question of who holds power will, of course, ultimately depend on who commands the majority of seats in the state

Mustapha said whichever party secures the majority of seats in the election would be entitled to the chief minister post. – BERNAMAPIC

“People are now viewing the Sabah electorate as a benchmark for this formula. After this, we will have state elections in Malacca, then Sarawak, followed by Johor and finally GE16. If we do not handle Sabah properly, it could create cracks within the unity government. “If those cracks widen, they could seriously dim our chances of winning a second term at the federal level,” he said. Mustapha said PKR would act as mediator to help reconcile differences among coalition partners at both state and federal levels. has been seen as part of Umno’s Cabinet quota.” Independent political analyst Khoo Kay Peng agreed, saying Tengku Zafrul’s move would not shake Umno’s foundations. “He’s more of a highly skilled individual contributor, not someone who commands tens of thousands of grassroots followers,” said Khoo. On Aug 1, Tengku Zafrul announced his PKR membership, revealing he had joined the party’s Ampang branch after leaving Umno in May. The move has fuelled speculation of a possible Ampang by-election this year to pave the way for him to contest as his term as senator ends later in 2025. – by Ikhwan Zulkaflee wanting to contest this time, three-cornered fights will certainly be unavoidable, possibly up to eight-cornered. That is up to them as that is the political landscape in Sabah. BN-PH has no overlapping seats,” he said. He was speaking after attending the 16th National Level Civil Defence Student Corps

allocated to PH. Meanwhile, opposition party Parti Warisan, led by former chief minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal, has confirmed its intention to contest all 73 state assembly seats. At present, GRS controls 41 seats, PH holds seven, Umno has nine, Warisan has 14, while other parties account for two seats. Mustapha added that the public is closely observing whether the PH-BN formula in Sabah will succeed as there is strong potential for it to serve as a model for other state elections leading up to the 16th general election (GE16). Azmi noted that Tengku Zafrul’s entry into Ampang raised unease within PKR as he was perceived as a parachute candidate rather than one who rose through the ranks. “He still lacks the aura or charisma to galvanise grassroots support. His entry into PKR mirrors his entry into Umno, where he had the backing of top leaders but was disconnected from the base.” From Umno’s perspective, Azmi said the party might even benefit from his departure. “Umno may now push to reclaim the Investment, Trade and Industry portfolio. “Even though it is ultimately the prime minister’s prerogative to appoint ministers, the position

Minister’s move to PKR draws mixed reactions

No Barisan-Pakatan seat clashes in state polls: Ahmad Zahid SHAH ALAM: Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said seat distribution between BN and Pakatan Harapan (PH) for the upcoming Sabah state election had been finalised with no overlaps. negotiations had been held between BN and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) on seat distribution or cooperation, in order to respect PH. “What has been finalised is BN PH, and we respect PH-GRS. There are no direct negotiations between BN and GRS. So far, any discussions to avoid three cornered contests or seat overlaps have been conducted behind the scenes.

However, he anticipated that three-cornered contests would be unavoidable, given the likelihood of other and newly formed parties joining the fray.

“However, I feel that since there are too many new parties in Sabah

Ahmad Zahid, who is also deputy prime minister, said no