Sabah Umno is eyeing for the opportunity to contest in several new state seats in the upcoming Sabah election, said its liaison chairperson Bung Moktar Radin.
He said that there are areas including Sungai Manila in the Libaran parliamentary constituency which is also Umno’s stronghold, and hopes that the party will be given due consideration to field its candidate when it meets with other BN component parties and its allies such as PAS and Bersatu.
“With an increase in the number of state seats, there are areas which are Umno strongholds including Sungai Manila. For sure Umno has an advantage there if it is given the opportunity to contest,” Bung said when met by reporters after officiating the party branch meeting at the Sungai Manila district polling centre last night.
In the 14th general election, a total of 60 state seats was contested but in July last year, the Dewan Rakyat approved a motion to add 13 more in Sabah bringing the total to 73 seats.
Apart from Sungai Manila, the other new state seats are Bengkoka in the Kudat parliamentary constituency, Darau (Sepanggar), Limbahau (Papar), Telupid (Beluran), Lamag (Kinabatangan), Kukusan (Kalabakan), Bandau (Kota Marudu), Segama (Lahad Datu), Pintasan (Kota Belud), Tanjung Keramat (Putatan), Pantai Dalit (Tuaran) and Tulid (Pensiangan).
Bung said that Umno will nominate 80 to 85 percent of new faces for the polls and priority will be given to young candidates to give more space for youths to develop the country.
He added that candidates have been identified from among those who can win and are accepted by the people, but they have not been finalised as the matter has not been discussed with its allies yet.
“It is useless for us to demand a constituency if both our party and candidates are weak, but still insist to be people’s representatives there.
“That is why Sabah Umno will submit data to support why we want to request for certain seats and who we will highlight as a candidate,” he said.
Asked if incumbent Sungai Sibuga assemblyperson Musa Aman had met with him about defending his seat, Bung said that there has been no direct communication, but he was open to discussion.
On the judicial review filed by the former chief minister and 32 other state assemblypersons who are seeking leave on Governor Juhar Mahiruddin's decision to dissolve the Sabah state assembly, Bung said that the court decision would not affect efforts to strengthen the party machinery.
Meanwhile, Sabah Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia (Putra) will not contest in the upcoming state election, said its chairperson and chief coordinator Jeffrus Maimin Rijan.
He said although there are divisional leaders who are ready to contest, the party's liaison meeting held yesterday in Kota Kinabalu, attended by 18 division heads, decided against competing in the snap polls.
“Contesting is to win and not to lose. To win, there are conditions that need to be met. Contesting just to test one's influence is not a wise move.
“That will give a negative impact on people's perception when the loss would be due to inadequate preparation of a newly established party,” he said in a statement today.
Sabah Putra will stay neutral in the polls and its leaders are not allowed to campaign for any candidates, he added.
In line with the central leadership's stand, Sabah Putra will focus on strengthening the party's organisational structure at various levels to prepare for the 15th general election, he said.
- Bernama
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