KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Umno wants to hold talks with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) on the Kinabatangan parliamentary and Lamag state by-elections to be held next month.
Sabah Umno liaison committee chairman Datuk Jafry Ariffin said the discussions are important since the party is part of the state unity government together with GRS.
He said Umno sees the need to reach a consensus with its state government colleagues before finalising its strategy for the by-elections.
"I feel it is necessary for us to discuss with the leadership of the state government to jointly find a ... solution regarding the Lamag and Kinabatangan by-elections,” he said on Tuesday (Dec 16).
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He said Sabah Umno is now awaiting feedback from Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, who is also GRS chairman, regarding the proposed talks.
Commenting on the party's preparations for the by-election, Jafry said that the preliminary work had been initiated early, including holding divisional committee meetings and engagement sessions with grassroots leadership in Lamag, Kuamut and Sukau.
"Alhamdulillah, we have already received commitment from the grassroots level to continue the work to ensure that the Kinabatangan parliamentary seat and the Lamag state seat are won if given the space and opportunity for us," he said.
According to him, Sabah Umno believes that in principle, Barisan Nasional should defend both seats based on the history and record of the late incumbent, Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin.
As to the candidates, Jafry said that Kinabatangan Umno had gathered grassroots views and compiled several names.
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"The Kinabatangan division has heard the complaints, listened to the views from the grassroots, and is ready to nominate some new faces and perhaps even the children (of the late Bung Moktar). But that is up to the leadership to decide," he said.
The Election Commission has set Jan 24 for polling in both by-elections, with nominations on Jan 10 and early voting on Jan 20.
The by-elections were called following Bung Moktar's passing on Dec 5 at a private hospital here. – Bernama
