Call for removal of Sabah BN chief Kurup could backfire, analyst warns

An analyst has cautioned that an Umno division leader's call to remove Arthur Joseph Kurup as Sabah BN chairman due to his perceived failure to aid the coalition's election campaign could have unintended consequences. Syahruddin Awang Ahmad, from Universiti Malaysia Sabah, stated that such a demand would only reinforce the perception that Umno seeks to dominate the BN.

This could undermine the trust of locals who advocate for Sabah-centric priorities to be given precedence. In a Monday statement, Tawau Umno chief Ghazalie Ansing proposed Kurup's replacement as Sabah BN chairman, citing his absence during the recent Johor and Negeri Sembilan polls. Syahruddin argued that this request was unreasonable considering the distinct political environments in Sabah and the Peninsular Malaysia.

He noted that as a Sabah-based party, PBRS wields more influence in specific areas of the state, while Umno enjoys a broader grassroots presence in West Malaysia. Kurup's appointment in January was also deemed a strategic choice by BN to cater to Sabahans' desire to be led by locally based parties, according to Syahruddin. Arvin Tajari of Universiti Teknologi Mara labeled Ghazalie's call as "immature," arguing that Kurup had overlooked PBRS's vital role in bridging the coalition with Sabahan voters.

Though Umno remains the largest BN component, its performance in the 2025 Sabah elections was poor, securing only five out of 41 contested seats. Arvin asserted that PBRS is the local party within BN in Sabah and that Umno cannot continue to act as if it holds a dominant position. He pointed out that the political landscape in Sabah has evolved with the rise of Warisan and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah, which are gaining popularity among residents.

Arvin advised Umno and BN to acknowledge that a locally based party like PBRS could help rejuvenate support for the coalition.