Amans and Apdals ‘rule’ Sabah Umno

Among the Umno old faces who were re-elected were Sabah State Assembly Speaker Salleh Keruak (Kota Belud), Abdul Ghapur Salleh (Kalabakan) and Ampong Puyon (Sandakan).

KOTA KINABALU: The presence of the new faces amongst the 25 Umno division in Sabah are seen to be capable of transforming and rejuvenating the party, especially in gaining support from the young generation for the next general election.

Sabah chief Minister Musa Aman believes the combination of old and new elected faces would keep the momentum alive among Umbo members in the state, which gave a significant contribution to Barisan Nasional’s (BN) victory in the last general election.

He said the Umno divisional election this year has also resulted in putting balance in the leadership line-up, especially for the post of division chief, deputy division chief and vice-chief.

“I believe the leadership line-up will move, work and serve as a strong team together with Umno president (Datuk Seri) Najib Tun Razak and deputy president (Tan Sri) Muhyiddin Yassin to help Umno win its cause and agenda for the people,” Musa said.

Musa is led the list of incumbent Sabah Umno division chiefs who won unopposed yesterday. He retained his post in Libaran.

Also in the winning list are his brother, Foreign Minister Anifah Aman (Kimanis), Deputy Sabah Chief Minister Yahya Hussin (Putatan), Sabah Local Government and Housing Minisyer Hajiji Noor (Tuaran), Sabah Youth and Sports Minister Tawfik Titingan (Tawau), Sabah Foundation director Sapawi Ahmad (Sipitang), Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Masidi Manjun (Ranau), Kemabong assemblyman Rubin Balang (Tenom) and Faisyal Diego (Kota Kinabalu).

When announcing the results, Sabah Umno Election Committee chairman Nurnikman Abdullah said Umno vice-president Mohd Shafie Apdal also retained his post as Semporna Umno division chief, which he held since 1996.

Mohd Shafie, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister and Semporna member of Parliament, defeated his two challengers, former Sulabayan assemblyman Herman Mohamad and former Semporna Umno Youth chief Nixon Abdul Habi.

Among the new faces elected as new Umno division chief is Mohd Shafie’s brother, Yusof Apdal, who is also Lahad Datu assemblyman.

Also interesting is the contest for Beaufort Umno division chief where the acting chief, Isnin Aliasnih, defeated his two female challengers, former Beaufort Puteri Umno chief, Saridah Mohd Dun, and her sister, national Wanita Umno vice-chief Azizah Mohd Dun, who is also Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister.

Old faces returned

Among the Umno old faces who were re-elected at yesterday’s election are Sabah State Assembly Speaker Salleh Keruak (Kota Belud), Abdul Ghapur Salleh (Kalabakan) and Ampong Puyon (Sandakan).

What came as a surprise was Bung Moktar Radin’s announcement that that he would step down. It came just a few hours after he defeated Sukau assemblyman Saddi Abdul Rahman with a 100-vote majority for the post of Kinabatangan division chief.

Meanwhile, the 10 candidates who won the post of deputy division chief unopposed, included two new faces, namely Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Abdul Rahman Dahlan in Tuaran and Sabah Assistant Agriculture and Food Industry Minister Musbah Jamli (Kota Belud).

Among other new faces who contested and won the post of deputy division chief are Raime Unggi (Tenom), Awang Kadin Tang (Sandakan), Mahmud Awang Hussin (Beluran), Annuar Ayub (Keningau), Hussien Oyong (Kota Marudu), Mohd Fazlee Lee Abdullah (Beaufort) and Abi Wednes Gagamboi (Pensiangan).

Sabah Umno executive secretary Kadzim M. Yahya said they were satisfied with the election process, but there were rooms for improvement.

“For example, a special unit can be set up to coordinate the election process,” he said.

-Bernama