SEMPORNA – Sabah Umno has expressed its interest to contest the Bugaya seat if the Election Commission announces a by-election for the presently vacant seat.
State party chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin said despite knowing that Warisan’s president Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal’s influence is still strong, he is confident there is a growing number of people who will reaccept Barisan Nasional.
“The people’s acceptance of BN was proven in the previous series of by-elections, as BN won the latest in style in Melaka,” he said in a statement today.
The Bugaya seat was declared vacant after its incumbent Manis Muka Mohd Darah passed away on November 17, 2020, but the by-election was postponed after the emergency was declared due to the pandemic.
During the last Sabah election in 2020, BN did not contest the seat as it was contested by Bersatu’s Daud Tampokon who lost to Warisan’s Manis Muka.
“Now the Election Commission might announce a by-election in the near future as the pandemic situation in the country is under control.
“The decision is up to the Election Commission, but we are ready to contest the seat if the by-election happens,” he said.
Bung Moktar, who is also Sabah BN chairman, said the fact that BN’s candidate Datuk Abd Razak Tun Sakaran lost the seat in the last general election will not stop the party from contesting the seat.
He said that there are currently 180 Umno branches in Bugaya, and that he is confident BN/Umno will receive strong support. –The Vibes, January 16, 2022
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