SABAH Umno will embark on a statewide tour next month to strengthen the party, said Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, stressing that there is no rush to initiate a political cooperation.
He reiterated that cooperation with other political parties will only come after Umno successfully closes all gaps within itself.
“Cooperation with other coalition parties should be based on mutual respect and benefit, not only for the party but for the entire Sabah population.
“The decision on collaboration will be made after the dissolution of the Sabah state assembly, as stated by Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi,” he said when met at the state Umno office here recently.
Bung said Sabah Umno has learned from past lessons when initiating a merger with other parties and will be more cautious when entering another cooperation in the future.
The Kinabatangan MP did not elaborate on the state chapter’s experience but may be referring to its collaboration with Perikatan Nasional (PN) in the recent past.
Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) led by Bung Moktar entered a partnership with PN in the state election in September 2020 under the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah alliance.
However, Bung Moktar withdrew BN’s support for GRS after the PN leaders in Sabah led by their chief minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor left Bersatu to become direct members of GRS.
Bersatu is a key component of PN.
Bung Moktar maintained that Sabah Umno only had a cooperation agreement with PN, not GRS, as among the reasons for withdrawing support for GRS.
Meanwhile, Zahid, during his visit to Sabah two days ago, said cooperation with other parties will only occur after the Sabah assembly has been dissolved.
He denied that his visit was to calm a brewing political storm.
Sabah is expected to hold fresh state polls in 2025. – The Vibes, January 10, 2023
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