Musa (fourth right) with state BN leaders after he announced Sabah Umno candidates for the general election.
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Barisan Nasional chief Datuk Seri Musa Aman yesterday described the state Umno candidates, including seven new faces, as ‘the best team’ to represent the party in the 13th general election.
Among the candidates, comprising 14 for parliamentary seats and 32 for state seats, is former chief minister and current State Assembly Speaker Datuk Mohd Salleh Tun Said, who was nominated to stand in his traditional Usukan state seat.
Besides Salleh, the new faces are Mohamad Alamin for Bongawan, Isnin Aliasnih (Klias), Datuk James Ratib (Sugut), Datuk Mohd Yusof Apdal (Lahad Datu), Datuk Jaujan Sambakong (Sulabayan) and Datuk Jumat Idris (Sepanggar).
Lahad Datu candidate Yusoff Apdal, the younger brother of Umno vice-president Datuk Shafie Apdal, replaced Datuk Nasrun Datu Mansur who will contest the Silam parliamentary seat.
Five-term assemblyman Datuk Karim Bujang was dropped from Bongawan seat and was replaced by the Umno Youth Kimanis chief Mohammad Alamin.
Datuk Azizah Mohd Dun will contest the Beaufort parliamentary seat that was held by Datuk Lajim Ukin who has left Umno to become an opposition candidate.
All Sabah Umno’s federal ministers – Datuk Anifah Aman (Kimanis) and Shafie (Semporna) and Puteri Umno chief Datuk Rosnah Rashid Shirlin (Papar) – have been retained with Umno fielding newcomer Datuk Jumaat Idris for the Sepanggar parliamentary seat.
The Chief Minister, who is defending the Sungai Sibuga state seat, said the decision on the Tenom seat currently held by Raime Unggi will be made by today.
He said the candidates list had been endorsed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who is also the BN chairman and Umno president
He is confident that Umno leaders will work closely together to ensure the Barisan will do well and equal its last election performance of winning 59 of the 60 state and 24 of the 25 parliamentary seats.
“God willing, we can do it again,” he told reporters.
“There will be no elements of sabotage because we all know that it is not a good act. It is not even a good word. We do not encourage such move … we are political party fighters, we have promised to ourselves and the party we represent, as well as the people and nation that we will work and fight for the struggles of the party.
“If we are not selected, we should not sabotage others, but instead render the same support the new candidates have given us when we were fielded in past elections. We are trained to always support and respect the decision made by our top leaderships,” said the Sabah Umno chief, after announcing the Sabah party’s candidates list at the Umno headquarters here yesterday. .
“We believe that BN will win big, thanks to its great track records, to continue its commitment to the people. There is no full stop to our work, as we will continue to serve the people and fulfil the promises made. We should not disappoint our voters, the mandate given to us must not be neglected.
“As for those who did not make it to the list this time, they should not feel sad as they are still useful to us, we appreciate their past contributions. Now is the time for them to help the new ones to retain the seat for BN,” he said.
When asked about the negative reactions from several people over the naming of several candidates such as that in Lahad Datu and Beluran, Musa said it is normal to have a few disagreements during the election.
“But we have promised the Prime Minister that we will support his decision, and this is exactly what we are doing,” he said.
Source : Borneo Post
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