SANDAKAN: UMNO/BN has established three primary criteria, specifically “winnability,” “acceptability,” and “likeability” when choosing candidates for the forthcoming 17th State General Election (PRN17) in Sabah.
Sabah Barisan Nasional chairman, Datuk Seri Panglima Bung Moktar Radin, said these criteria are crucial to ensuring that the chosen candidates will deliver victory to BN and form the state government after PRN17.
He acknowledged the difficulty in selecting candidates who are universally accepted by all segments of society in each constituency.
However, choices must be made by considering three factors: acceptance, likability, and the ability to win, along with other relevant aspects.
“In addition to these three criteria, UMNO/BN will select candidates who do not have any conflicts that could be detrimental and lead to the party’s defeat,” he said after attending the Sabah Umno Zone 5 Breaking of Fast Ceremony, which involved Umno divisions in Kinabatangan, Libaran, Beluran, Batu Sapi, and Sandakan, at the Seri Aman Mosque in Pekan Muhibah, near here, on Thursday evening.
According to Bung, who is also the Sabah UMNO chief, any candidate chosen by the party leadership to contest in the upcoming PRN17 must possess the principles of struggle and loyalty to the party.
“We should not jeopardize our dignity by joining other parties or sabotaging the chosen candidate just because we were not selected. As fighters, our priority is the party and winning in the PRN,” Bung explained.
He said that the candidate issue will be the main element in PRN17, but UMNO/BN members at all levels need to have an open mind and be magnanimous in regards to candidate selection.
However, Bung, who is also the Kinabatangan UMNO chief, said that it is still too early to discuss candidates.
According to him, what is more important is for UMNO/BN Sabah to continue strengthening its machinery at all levels.
He emphasised that strengthening the party machinery is crucial to ensuring that UMNO/BN is fully prepared for PRN17.
“The preparations for PRN17 need to be detailed to ensure that UMNO and BN receive the mandate from the people to take over the state government, which has failed to protect the interests of the people,” he said.
Commenting on the chances of UMNO and Barisan Nasional (BN) being chosen by voters in the upcoming PRN17, Bung hopes that the people in this state will give UMNO/BN and its coalition the opportunity to address several issues, including water, roads, electricity, and the worsening economy.
“UMNO/BN used to be the backbone of the state government, and during the 24 years of their rule, the issues of clean water supply, roads, and electricity were not as bad as they are today.
“Perhaps it is due to rapid development, increased consumer needs, or weather factors, but if the government has a more systematic plan and concrete actions, the current situation would not put pressure on the people’s livelihood,” he said.
