KOTA KINABALU: Barisan Nasional can take the momentum from its performance in the Nenggiri and Mahkota state by-elections into the upcoming Sabah state election next year, says Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin.
The Sabah Barisan-Umno chief said the party's win in the Nenggiri by-election on Aug 17 and, hopefully, a victory in the Mahkota by-elections would bode well for its efforts to recover its image and align with its transformation phase, including fielding younger candidates.
“The success in Nenggiri and hopefully Mahkota will certainly uplift morale for the unity government by showing the effectiveness of this alliance and ability to win in challenging areas,” he said, during the Mahkota campaign trail at Taman Matahari Kampung Tengah polling district centre in Kluang on Wednesday (Sept 25).
“For us in Sabah Barisan-Umno, the success in these two by-elections will provide us more confidence and spirit to face the 17th Sabah state polls,” added the former Sabah deputy chief minister.
Barisan’s Mahkota candidate Syed Hussien Syed Abdullah, Sabah Umno secretary Datuk Jafry Arifin and Sabah Umno treasurer Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak, were also present.
Bung Moktar said Barisan has to be tactically smart in Sabah as the issues here are different that those in Nenggiri and Mahkota.
He added Sabah had issues with its basic infrastructure such as roads, clean water and electricity supplies, as well as poverty.
