After brickbats, Bung says Sabah Umno must ‘move forward’

Bung Moktar Radin says he accepts the ‘mission’ to lead Barisan Nasional in the Sabah election.

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Barisan Nasional chairman Bung Moktar Radin, whose appointment as head of the BN election machinery for the state polls drew brickbats, today said Umno has to “move forward”.

Bung, who is also the Sabah Umno chief, vowed to mobilise the election machinery as it was his mission to do so.

“I accept and appreciate everyone’s views, but what is important is for Umno to move forward,” he told reporters at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport this evening.

He was welcomed by a hundred supporters who chanted “Hidup Bung” (long live Bung).

Last night, 12 Sabah Umno divisions voiced discontent with Bung leading the charge in the coming Sabah state election, describing it as an “insult” and “suicidal”.

Umno Supreme Council member Abdul Rahman Dahlan said they did not want a leader who had to attend court cases on corruption charges to campaign for the coalition in the election.

Bung’a appointment was announced by BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi yesterday.

There are 73 seats up for grabs in the Sabah state assembly.

The Election Commission announced that the election will take place on Sept 26 with early voting set for Sept 22. Nominations will be held on Sept 12.

The election was triggered by the dissolution of the state assembly on July 30 amid a political crisis. It requires polling to be conducted within 60 days.

Earlier today, Umno vice-president Ismail Sabri Yaakob urged members to accept Bung’s appointment, saying it was proper for them to prioritise the party’s interest over personal ones.

Sabah MCA backs Bung ‘in line with BN spirit’

Meanwhile, Sabah MCA came out in support of Bung today in leading the BN charge in the election. Its chairman, Lu Yen Tung, said this was in line with the BN spirit.

“In upholding the BN spirit, we support him (Bung). We must overcome our political opponents in a one-to-one manner to enhance our chances of victory in the election,” Lu said in a statement.

Earlier today, Sabah Umno Youth also threw its support behind Bung to lead BN’s election machinery in the coming polls.

Sabah Umno Youth chief Abdul Aziz Julkarnain said the state wing supported and respected the decision of Zahid for Bung to lead BN’s challenge in the polls.

Besides Sabah Umno and MCA, Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) is part of the BN coalition in Sabah. - FMT