Bung Moktar
KOTA KINABALU (May 2): Umno’s plan to place its Sabah chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin as the “poster boy” is expected to hasten the party’s undoing in the coming state elections, said Gerakan Kuasa Rakyat Malaysia (G57) chairman Datuk Zulkarnain Mahdar.
Zulkarnain recalled that Umno-Barisan Nasional (BN) had only won 14 out of 31 seats it contested in the 16th state elections, and he does not foresee that Umno Sabah will rise again, especially after its failed attempt with Parti Warisan (Warisan) to topple Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor in 2023.
“Bung’s rough attitude is also one of the reasons for the rakyat’s increasing hate towards Umno.
“As a rakyat of Sabah, I dare not put the future of the state in the hands of a leader like him.
“Regarding their plan to place him as a ‘poster boy’, I personally expect this action to expedite the process of burying Umno in the coming state elections.
“Insyallah, looking at the current political situation and the continuous efforts of the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah-Pakatan Harapan (GRS-PH) government to attract foreign investors and solve the rakyat’s problems in stages, independent political analysts’ expectations that Umno-BN will only be able to win seven seats are likely to come true,” he said in a statement.
Zulkarnain was responding to Umno Sabah information chief Datuk Suhaimi Nasir’s recent suggestion for Bung to be BN’s poster boy for the 17th Sabah state elections, as he is seen as the most suitable figure to front the coalition and Umno Sabah’s tradition for the post to be given to the state BN chairman.
Meanwhile, Zulkarnain said Umno-BN should be realistic in its ambition to rule Sabah again after the next state elections.
Responding to Suhaimi’s statement yesterday that the coalition will contest 40 out of 73 state seats this year, he questioned whether this decision was made by Umno’s Supreme Council members or otherwise.
“As a former chief political activist in Umno’s frontline, I advise Suhaimi to go down to the field often to obtain the rakyat’s reaction on their support towards Umno-BN in Sabah.
“I would also like to remind that in the 2016 General Elections, Suhaimi himself had lost in the Gum-Gum state seat,” he added.
Yesterday, BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said it is premature to name a ‘poster boy’ candidate for any state before a general or state election is officially called.
He said that following a meeting with the Sabah Umno leadership on Wednesday, he had provided guidelines for the party in the state to face the state election.
“I think it’s best if the matter of selecting a menteri besar or chief minister is set aside for now. The focus should be on ensuring victory for the candidates fielded.
“I will personally consult with the Sabah Umno leadership to determine who is acceptable to the state assemblymen and who can lead the state government once any party coalition secures the majority of seats in Sabah,” he told reporters after attending the Lembaran Kasih Aidilfitri celebration with the Felda community at Padang Awam Palong 3 in Jempol.
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