Of hidden arm twisting ...

It is heating up in Sabah...

What better way to cool off, if not sending a few minions to inspect the lock-ups.


Things are brewing in the "safe" states of Sabah and Sarawak. "Safe" because this is where BN (read UMNO) can call on PBB and UMNO Sabah to deliver the required parliamentary seats in this coming crunchy GE 14.

However, "safe" is no longer immune to possibility of breaches when PBB has send strong worded statements on 1963 agreement prior to the formation of Malaysia. PBB wants more power and influence to determine Sarawak's future and at the same time expects the central government to accelerates progress to the state.

Sabah, as usual, is a fragile state where party hopping is second to nature. Eventhough Sabah UMNO helms the state leadership, there are growing consensus that Sabah deserves more. With Shafie Afdal forming Parti Wawasan, Sabah's political alliance is not that easy to read like those in peninsular Malaysia.

How does UMNO (read 1MPM6?) reacts? Of late, MACC has spend more time in Sabah looking through "irregularities" and in the process detains individuals for interviews. Amongst those detain is Shafie's brother.

Prior to his detention, Warisan big-wigs and several UMNO members were also detained concerning to the alledgedly misappropriation of funds for Sabah rural areas during Shafie Afdal's watch.

Skimming the surface, those detained were from both Parti Warisan and UMNO. Fair and square, right? However, I look at it from different angles :-

1. It is a subtle warning that Sabah politicians should toe the line, failing which their past (and current actions) will be scrutinised;
2. For Sabah and Sarawak politicians, to be considered as BN candidates, they must show "extra" loyalty to BN especially to 1MPM6;
3. Those who intend to cross over to opposition needs to think twice, either be dragged with alledged crimes or brought down by scandals;
4. Those who have crossed over, the BN door is still open for those who wanted to "repent" and retire comfortably with their spoils;

MACC is just doing their job. If there is any report and if the reports has basis, MACC will come in to investigate. Once done, the investigation papers will be handed over to the AG office either to take action ie to charge them in court or to be stamped NFA.

In a way, it is 1MPM6 applying his arm twisting to minimise future damage. BN can't afford to lose Sabah and Sarawak and see their 60 years of power crashed down. This must be prevented at all cost. How far will 1MPM6 is willing to go? How far will his lieutenants like Ahmad Maslan, Rahman Dahlan, Salleh Keruak is willing to up their loyalty remains to be seen.

Across the China Sea, not all things look as rosy in Johor. Can UMNO depends on Johoreans loyalty to UMNO as before? Or has UMNO lost its touch with reality that UMNO is now in critical state in Johor. If Johor falls, will BN (read UMNO) lose its grip on the premiership?

It is the calm before the storm... and it will not be surprising if Mr and Mrs 1MPM6 having nightmares like Marie Antoinette...


Till then...G'nite M'sia...wherever u are...