KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah chapter of Muafakat Nasional, formed just two years ago, was dissolved today following a loss of confidence in the leadership of MN president Tan Sri Annuar Musa.
Sabah MN chairman Jismit Japong announced that he and 30 other members of the pro-tem state committee had resigned, effective immediately.
He added that this decision was made as a sign of dissatisfaction with the treatment received from MN's central leadership, including grievances against Annuar, whom they claimed treated them unfairly.
"Today, I resigned and dissolved the pro-tem MN Sabah due to several reasons that we could not accept.
"We have carefully considered the actions of the central MN leadership under (Annuar), who disregarded and disrespected Sabah MN, acting as if it did not exist," he told reporters.
Jismit added that the decision was agreed upon by all Sabah MN committee members at their final meeting yesterday.
It is understood that the decision was made ahead of Annuar's scheduled visit to Sabah to attend the Sabah Pas Convention this Saturday.
Jismit also expressed disappointment that Sabah MN was not informed about the appointment of two members ffrom Sabah to MN's supreme council, despite the central leadership previously granting autonomy to the Sabah chapter.
"Their appointments contradict the principles and concept of MN, where matters related to Sabah MN's management and administration should have been discussed collectively.
"For this reason, we have lost confidence in MN, the leadership of the central committee, and the leadership of Annuar," he said.
Currently, Sabah MN has about 30,000 members, reflecting its growing acceptance by the public in the state.
However, Jismit said the unfair treatment by MN's central leadership towards its Sabah chapter led to disappointment and the decision to end the organisation's existence in the state.
Meanwhile, he added that unlike MN in Peninsular Malaysia, which adopts an anti-government stance, Sabah MN under his leadership has taken a pro-state government approach.
"Sabah MN is open to everyone, whether they are from Umno, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), Warisan, or any other party, because it is a non-governmental organisation (NGO).
"We do not criticise the government or its representatives, unlike MN in the peninsula. We genuinely practice unity," he said.
Following the dissolution, he said they plan to establish a new NGO focusing on the welfare and economic development of Sabah.
He added that the dissolution letter for Sabah MN would be submitted to MN's central leadership within 14 days from today and stressed that the decision was final.