Unity is key to Sabah BN’s victory, says Musa

Musa Aman (second from right) with Kadazandusun Murut-based BN component party leaders during the convention in Kota Kinabalu.

KOTA KINABALU: Unity is key for BN’s victory in the upcoming general election, leaders of the coalition’s component parties said today.

Speaking at an election machinery convention held by PBS, PBRS and Upko here today, Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman said BN can win again if the components cooperate closely with each other.

“We can win again if we cooperate well with each other as we are a proven government,” said Musa.

“We’ve won in past elections but we mustn’t take our victory for granted because the political landscape is changing and we have to adapt.”

Musa, who is also Sabah BN liaison chairman, said the opposition is not as strong as they are touted to be.

“We shouldn’t fear the opposition because they’re not strong like they say they are,” he said.

“Even if we have internal problems in BN, they have even more.

“They’re still without complete divisions and branches. Their members include people who were disgruntled (with their former parties), who now want to be fielded as candidates (by their new party).”

PBRS deputy president Arthur Kurup, speaking on behalf of party president Joseph Kurup, who also attended the event, said the unity in BN must be truly practised instead of being just “cosmetic”.

“We should all believe in the principle of power sharing by taking advantage of the component parties’ unique strengths.”

Wilfred Madius Tangau, acting president of Upko, said there must be unity, not just within the party but also within the coalition.

“This is the only way to win all the seats in the general and state elections.”

PBS deputy president Maximus Ongkili said: “Politics is a numbers game. We must ensure we get all the seats, especially those we lost to the opposition.”

Outgoing PBS president Joseph Pairin Kitingan was among the 1,000 delegates from the Kadazandusun Murut-based local parties who attended the event. -FMT