Getting It Right For Sabah

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TOMORROW will be crucial for Barisan Nasional and Umno in announcing names of candidates for the Sabah state election slotted for September 26. It could be on Thursday the 10th or Friday the 11th too should some teething matters still arise. Not easy you know!
It will be a bit tougher since Sabah has many qualified candidates for the 73 state assembly seats. I believe the state Umno chief Bung Raden Mokhtar has had sleepless night and many official and personal meetings in sorting out those who should make the list.
BN chairman and Umno president Zahid Hamidi too has been in Sabah on several occasions to help out Bung and BN. Since a full autonomy was given to Sabah BN and Umno, it looks like Bung has to make the final call.
Of course it is the rights of Sabahan to supervise their own state. Unless in 'chronic' matters, then Umno HQ in Kuala Lumpur will step in only if there are requests. And up to today, something needs Zahid's and party top officials' assistance.
Candidacy has always been an issue, not only for Sabah and Sarawak state elections but during Federal general elections. Some may be discontented, some will stand tall not few will be left in despair. But that's politics, you win some, you lose some. Not an easy task to please everybody, right.
In their speeches during the launching of BN election machinery in Kota Kinabalu today, Zahid and Bung did touch on candidacy. Although Bung did not mention how many seats BN is contesting, expectation is getting high for the list.
Both said since Sabah BN and UMNO have numerous potential candidates for the election, some may find their names are not on the list. Most important is to work for the party and for Sabahans to see BN rules again.
However, Bung has earlier said that 70-80 per cent candidates will be new and 'fresh'. I agree and support his political dynamic. However, the new faces (to me) must be the ones with strong grassroots support and have served the party in many ways, and NOT the ones who only demonstrated their worthy just to be selected.
Bung must also ensure there are enough quota for women notwithstanding the 'sore' era after BN lost the last general election. Some have proven their track record although they have shown a bit of opposition to previous state government under Musa Aman or even towards Bung too.
The state Umno chief must also collect feedback from each and every constituent, do some vetting and come up with a wise decision. What's important is to secure victory, and personal issue should come later. Take back the state from Warisan with the parties in Perikatan Nasional.
I was approached by a few Umno division heads wanting some helps so that they make the list. I listened. Some are young, they can wait another term or who knows, they would make better as Members of Parliaments!
My advise to them, emulate the politics of (the late) Ghafar Baba who never thought of becoming a deputy prime minister during the 1990s. Hold your patience, he once said. If you work hard enough, others will recognise you!

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