KOTA KINABALU – It seems Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan and Datuk Seri Bung Moktar have buried their past differences.
Bung Moktar, who remains Sabah Umno chief and Rahman his deputy, will now have a big responsibility to bring the state chapter back to its former glory.
The two men were not the best of friends in the past.
In fact, Rahman had said that appointing Bung Moktar to lead the party’s election charge in the state election akin to a “suicidal move”.
But in unveiling the new Sabah Umno supreme council committee here today, Bung said having Rahman was God’s will for both of them to be able to work together.
“Both of us are experienced in the state and at the national stage, so this combination is God’s will, and our expertise will ensure Sabah Umno will continue to get the people’s attention,” he told reporters after unveiling Sabah Umno’s new supreme council member line-up for 2023 to 2026 at the Sabah Umno building here.
The same sentiment was expressed by Rahman, adding that there are no personal issues in the state leadership.
“I want to move forward and need the strength of all parties. Bung Moktar is a seasoned leader and also had experience in Parliament and now leading Sabah Umno. There are no problems among all of us.
“We only want to continue serving the party and hope Sabah Umno will return as the core party in Sabah,” said Rahman, referring to the time when the Umno-led Barisan Nasional was the state’s ruling party.
Rahman replaces Datuk Yakub Khan (Karambunai assemblyman) as the state deputy chief while Yakub has been appointed as a national Umno Supreme Council member.
Yakub was also appointed as chair of the unity government secretariat, which oversees Umno’s reconciliation process with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah after the political crisis in the state on January 6.
Meanwhile, Bung Moktar also noted that seven Sabah Umno cadres had been appointed to the national Umno leadership, which he considered a great recognition towards the state chapter by Umno.
In the new Sabah Umno lineup, Usukan assemblyman Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak has been appointed treasurer.
Sabah Umno liaison secretary Datuk Jafry Ariffin (Usukan assemblyman) is retained, while Libaran MP Datuk Shuhaimi Nasir is made information chief. – The Vibes, April 9, 2023
