KOTA KINABALU: Former Sabah Bersatu secretary Abdul Kadir Abdullah Damsal has officially rejoined Sabah Umno, citing the party’s proven record in governance and development as key reasons behind his return.
Abdul Kadir, who was previously an Umno member since 1994 before joining Bersatu, had tendered his resignation letter to Sabah Bersatu head Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee on July 14, 2024.
He noted his decision was spurred by a recent call by Sabah Umno treasurer and election director Datuk Seri Salleh Said, who urged former party members to return and help strengthen the party ahead of the upcoming state election.
“I am returning to a party I have long been part of. The leadership’s call, combined with Umno’s track record and political stability, made the decision clear for me,” he said in a statement on Monday (April 7).
He stressed that Umno had consistently demonstrated effective governance both at the federal and state levels, especially during the last 14 years under the leadership of Sabah’s Tuan Yang di-Pertua, Tun Musa Aman, during his tenure as the chief minister.
“Umno’s governance has led to tremendous physical development in Sabah. Projects like the establishment of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), the Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park (KKIP), and the expansion of the Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) are examples of Umno’s far-reaching vision,” he said.
Abdul Kadir, who had previously served as chief executive officer of three state-linked companies, also highlighted the importance of political stability in attracting investments and ensuring long-term economic growth.
“Only under the Umno-Barisan Nasional administration did Sabah enjoy such political stability and sustained progress. We witnessed major investments, such as the RM50bil onshore investment by PETRONAS and the development of Sipitang Oil & Gas Industrial Park (SOGIP),” he added.
He noted that during Musa’s tenure, Sabah’s Gross Domestic Product growth hit a national high of 8.1% in 2017, unemployment was kept between 4.7% to 5.7%, and strategic infrastructure like the Kimanis Power Plant and Sabah-Sarawak Gas Pipeline helped address power shortages and create job opportunities.
“Umno has what I call the ‘EPS’ success factors – Experience, Performance, and Sustainability. These are the pillars that make the party capable of bringing greater impact and benefits to Sabah and its people,” he said.
Abdul Kadir believes that with renewed unity and focus, Umno can once again emerge as a dominant political force in the state.
