Bung Moktar handing over coordinators' letters of appointment to Sabah MCA chairman Datuk Teah Heok Kuin after the state Barisan meeting.
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) Sabah is drafting a new election manifesto for the coming 17th state election due anytime before September next year.
Sabah Barisan chairman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin said the manifesto will be tailored towards winning back the people's support.
He said Sabah Barisan secretary Datuk Jafry Arifin will head a committee to discuss and draft a practical and realistic manifesto for the people of Sabah.
"Our focus is on improving the state in terms of basic infrastructure development that needs immediate attention.
"We also want to focus on improving the state's economy to overcome unemployment and poverty," he said in a statement on Monday (March 18).
He said the underlying thrust of the manifesto would be wooing young voters.
On Saturday (March 16), Bung Moktar chaired the Sabah Barisan meeting attended by component parties Umno, Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS), MCA and MIC at state Umno headquarters here.
Those who attended included Sabah Barisan deputy chairman Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan, Jafry, treasurer Datuk Seri Sallleh and component leaders and representatives from MIC, MCA and PBRS.
"We are not going to promise the moon and the stars. Our manifesto will be realistic and practical and can be delivered on, unlike grand promises made by other parties," Bung Moktar said, adding that such promises have yet to be fulfilled.
He said the manifesto was needed early in case the election is called ahead of time as has often been the case.
He also handed over appointment letters to 25 Barisan coordinating chairmen in each parliamentary constituency in the state.
He said the coordinators should discuss strategies with the party representatives in their areas, as well as organise election machinery in preparation for the state election where there are 73 seats to be contested.
"I hope that those appointed will... strengthen Barisan's position in their respective areas, especially to face the coming election," he added.
