KOTA KINABALU – Sabah Umno will abide by and support any decision made by the main party leaders for its long-term survival, said its chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin.
He added that he will support the leader of Umno, whomever it is, because as the state party leader, he must abide with the party’s political system.
“If I don’t respect the Umno leader, then (ordinary party members) will also not respect the leaders,” Bung Moktar told reporters at Sabah Umno’s 30th anniversary celebration at its headquarters in Karamunsing yesterday.
Also present was state Chief Minister and Sabah Bersatu chief Datuk Seri Hajiji Mond Noor.
He was asked whether the presence of party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi via video conferencing from Kuala Lumpur at its 30th anniversary celebration is a sign of Sabah Umno’s support for him.
Bung Moktar said the state division will follow the Umno leadership’s decision.
It was reported that Umno president Zahid is fighting for his survival inside and outside the party, as calls for him to step down as president have grown over the past few weeks.
Meanwhile, on Sabah Umno itself, Bung Moktar said he is confident it will continue to move forward.
“Leaders may come and go but the struggle to develop the state and its people is our priority and through Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), we want to ensure the people’s demands are fulfilled, and we have four more years to do that.
“I am also confident the GRS government has a high commitment to developing the economy and state and empowering the people.
On the issue of Sabah Umno not being the dominant party in the state, Bung Moktar said he does not see it as a problem.
“We are part of the (GRS) government so the most important thing is to contribute to helping the people via GRS.”
When asked whether the misunderstanding between Umno and Bersatu will affect the planning of the upcoming general election, Bung Moktar said it has already been decided that Umno leaders will have a discussion with those of Bersatu and PAS.
“In Sabah, we don’t have Perikatan Nasional; only GRS. So we cannot overstep on matters that I feel do not require a comment from us.”
Meanwhile, Bung Moktar also confirmed that former state chief minister Tan Sri Musa Aman is still with Umno. – The Vibes, February 21, 2021
