Unity call: Ahmad Zahid (second from left), flanked by MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong and Bung Moktar (left), at the Sabah Barisan Nasional convention in Sandakan.
SANDAKAN: Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin has received the full backing of Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to lead the coalition in the next Sabah election.
Clearing any doubt over the state leadership, Ahmad Zahid said he had seen for himself how Bung Moktar, as Sabah Umno and Barisan chief, commanded respect not just from his supporters but also from the grassroots.
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He called on Umno members and Barisan component parties to close ranks and work with Bung Moktar in the next state polls.
“We want trivial matters to be resolved and the first thing we want is for the Barisan and Umno leadership to put behind their differences.
“It is important to support whoever is leading Sabah Barisan and Umno because we want the state polls to be a successful outing,” he said at the Sabah Barisan Convention here yesterday.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Umno president, thanked Bung Moktar for not relenting in his efforts to keep the party alive in Sabah.
“I am not praising for the sake of praising, but I see how you (grassroots) support him,” he said.He said it was crucial for Barisan component parties as well as friends of the coalition to remain united going into the state polls.
“If we are destined to be dominant once again, we will invite our friends to govern Sabah together. This is because progress must be returned to Sabah for its people,” he said.
The Sabah election is due by October next year but could be called at any time before that.
Ahmad Zahid urged the Sabah Barisan machinery to get working so that the coalition would be prepared if the election was suddenly called.
He said the coalition must change its methods to reach voters, adding that the old ways were no longer suitable.
“We must use the latest technologies to win the hearts and minds of the people,” he said.
He said the political dynamic in Sabah was unique, and its people were not afraid to change the government if it was not performing up to their expectations.
“If we want to change the government, then this (election) is the perfect time to do so,” he added.
Bung Moktar echoed the call for Barisan component parties to set aside their differences, adding that only by uniting could the coalition become a formidable front.
He said while Gabungan Rakyat Sabah promotes the rejection of Peninsular Malaysia-based parties in favour of local parties, the 14 local parties in Sabah had failed to address critical issues, alleging that not all of them were well established.
“Learning from past experiences, it is crucial for Barisan to reform our strategy to meet the people’s needs and improve living conditions in Sabah.
“We will present new initiatives to the people. It is important to correct any misconceptions about Barisan. We will move forward and persist.
“Barisan will rule Sabah again. After today, our focus must be on the tasks ahead, setting aside trivial matters and tackling Sabah’s issues one by one,” he said.
