KOTA KINABALU: Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin is undaunted by the task entrusted to him following his reappointment as the Sabah Umno chief.
“Of course, this reappointment comes with a big responsibility and obligation,” said the Kinabatangan MP after taking his oath as a supreme council member at the Putra World Trade Centre on Wednesday (March 22).
He was among the leaders who took their oaths during the party’s first supreme council members meeting following the recently concluded Umno polls.
Bung Moktar thanked Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and the central party leadership for having the faith in him to shoulder the No. 1 position in Sabah.
Likewise, he was also grateful to the leadership for appointing several Sabah Umno leaders into the party’s working committee for the 2023/2026 term.
He said, however, they will not succeed in their duties especially in Sabah without the support and cooperation from all leaders and members in the state.
“For sure, this will be a big task and responsibility to help steer the party together with the president, deputy president as well as the supreme council.
“This trust and obligation given will be fully utilised by giving priority to strengthen unity in the party particularly in Sabah to face the state election, which is expected to be held less than two years from now,” Bung Moktar said.
Former federal minister and Tuaran Umno division chief Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan, who was also re-elected as a supreme council member, was named as Bung Moktar’s No 2, replacing Datuk Yakub Khan as the Sabah Umno deputy chief.
Among other Sabah Umno leaders appointed to the working committee were Penampang Umno division chief Datuk Mohd Asnol Ayub, Kimanis Umno division chief and Kimanis MP Datuk Mohamad Alamin, Beaufort MP Datuk Siti Aminah Aching and Yakub.
Towards this end, Bung Moktar urged all Umno members to close ranks and unite following the party elections.
Although some could still be reeling from disappointment due to having lost in the polls, he said, it was however time to come back to being a “big family” who relied on each other to restore the party’s position.
“Umno is a big family and there is no need to create sentiments or factions but we must unite and focus to solidify the party’s machinery at all levels so that no one will belittle Umno which also contributed to the formation of the state government following the 16th Sabah election.
“Let us forgive and forget. This is a new era in Umno, so we must start with a new spirit as well as principles and not abandon the party’s struggles,” he said.
Bung Moktar added that those who lost in the party polls still had important roles to play to help Umno as a whole.
