Sabah Umno information chief Datuk Suhaimi Nasir says the party is mobilising its machinery and strengthening its grassroots to reclaim political dominance in the state.
KOTA KINABALU: As Sabah's political landscape heats up ahead of the 17th state election, Sabah Umno is mobilising its supporters to reclaim its past dominance.
Sabah Umno information chief Datuk Suhaimi Nasir said the coalition remains the best platform to serve the people and must rise again.
Suhaimi said that Umno president and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's call for Sabah Umno and Barisan Nasional to reassert their position was not just an aspiration but a serious mission.
"Sabah Umno was once the backbone of this state, ensuring stability and development. With renewed fighting spirit, a strong party machinery, and the support of the people, we are ready to restore that legacy," he said in a statement on Tuesday (Feb 25).
He said the state polls would be a defining moment for Sabah Umno’s resurgence, adding that the party is strengthening its grassroots and mobilising efforts across the state.
"Our party machinery is actively on the ground, and I am confident that with unity and strong determination, Sabah Umno will return as the dominant political force in Sabah," he said.
"This fight is for the people and the state we love. With strong grassroots support, experienced leadership, and a clear direction, we will reclaim our position.”
Last week, Suhaimi urged voters to assess the state's governance based on past administrations' track records rather than focusing on whether a party is local or national.
"Many governments have ruled Sabah—Berjaya was a local party, Usno was a local party, and PBS was a local party. The question we should ask is not whether a party is local but whether it has provided good governance and ensured development for the people," he said when met by reporters in Sandakan.
He claimed that during Barisan Nasional’s rule, the state experienced stable governance and continuous progress.
"During Barisan Nasional’s time, there was never a situation where water supply was cut, electricity was rationed, or people had to struggle with dry taps. The state was in a stable and progressive condition. I am confident that the people of Sabah can compare and judge for themselves," he said.
Suhaimi noted that Sabah Umno is now marking 34 years since its entry into the state on Feb 22, 1991. He recalled how Umno, through its alliance with Usno and Berjaya, eventually formed the state government and led Sabah until its defeat in 2018 when the national political landscape shifted.
"The year 2018 was an unfortunate turning point for us. It was a political tsunami, not just in Sabah but across Malaysia. However, we have learned from it, and we are determined to return as the government," he said.
