KOTA KINABALU: Sabah UMNO will prioritise strengthening the party at all levels before considering any collaboration with other coalition parties for the upcoming State Election (PRN).
In line with this objective, Sabah UMNO will embark on a series of tours across the state, commencing in early February, to assess the party’s preparedness and address current issues at the grassroots level.
This initiative aims to gauge the party’s strength and ensure that members are well-informed.
When questioned about the possibility of cooperation with other party coalitions for the PRN and the unrest within Sabah UMNO, Bung Moktar Radin, the Chairman of the Sabah UMNO Liaison Committee, and Sabah Barisan Nasional emphasised the importance of respecting agreements and working together for the benefit of both the party and the people of Sabah.
He acknowledged that Sabah UMNO has gained valuable insights from past coalition experiences, which will inform their decision-making process.
However, Bung stressed the need to strengthen Sabah UMNO before making any significant decisions.
Bung also highlighted that the President of UMNO, Dato Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, has clarified that discussions regarding merging with other parties will only take place after the dissolution of the Sabah Dun.
He emphasised the importance of understanding, loyalty, and sincerity in fighting for the future of the people of Sabah.
Regarding the issue of the Sabah UMNO power struggle, Bung clarified that Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s recent visit to Sabah was an official work visit and unrelated to the issue.
Bung clarified that whenever the party president visits Sabah, namely Zahid, he seizes the opportunity to have a cordial meeting with Sabah UMNO leaders. During these meetings, they discuss various current issues, with a particular emphasis on the party’s preparations for the upcoming PRN.
In light of this, Bung extends an invitation to all Sabah UMNO members, urging them not to easily succumb to the unrest caused by other parties whose intentions are to undermine the unity of UMNO in the state.
“As leaders and members of UMNO, we possess a deeper understanding of the internal affairs within our own organization. Let us disregard baseless rumours that are merely external perceptions aimed at weakening us (UMNO). Our primary focus should be on fostering unity and fortifying the party machinery at all levels,” emphasised Bung.
