Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Umno chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin reminded members not to leave the party, saying they are different from the others who left.
“I am quite confident that in Sabah, Umno will return to rule the state after the next general election,” he said, amid rumours that some Sabah Umno elected representatives are contemplating leaving.
“Some analysts said Umno is in dire straits but the response from the grassroots showed otherwise.
“Umno was born from the struggle to liberate the country from British colonial rule.
“Other parties were established by power hugging or party hopping and so on,” he said.
Bung said Umno at one point saw an exodus of leaders after losing the 14th General Elections but rose to extraordinary revival.
“People tend to leave parties when they are no longer part of the government. Those who do so do not have the fortitude and integrity.
“They are selfish and will use the excuse of political stability but that’s just a weak and obvious reason.
“At this point the President has informed us that the Sabah Barisan Nasional supports the Sabah Unity Government,” he said.
Bung said Sabah Umno would not remain silent but continue to strengthen itself.
“I am confident that after the party elections, Sabah Umno will be led by those with integrity and responsibility to strengthen the party.
“I will formulate a strategy to ensure that Sabah Umno does not only play a role in making a comeback but ensure that Sabah gets out of poverty.
“Sabah must empower the economy from new sources and this is important...three things in Sabah’s infrastructure that must be empowered are water, electricity and roads,” he said.
Bung said he has discussed with central leadership to find ways to help Sabah through a five to 10 year plan.
He said the party has pressed top leaders to view matters of road connectivity such as the Pan Borneo Highway that are in line with Sabah’s demands from the federal government.
“This is important because we will also be able to create new job opportunities. Without these three infrastructures nobody will investi in Sabah.”
Bung earlier defended his position as Kinabatangan division leader with no contest through the 2023/2026 party elections ending on March 18. He would also be defending his position as a Supreme Council Member.
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