Reasonable That Bung Moktar Heads Sabah Polls Zahid

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SABAH 2020 | BN chairperson Ahmad Zahid Hamidi stressed that it was reasonable for Sabah BN chairperson Bung Moktar Radin to lead the party machinery to face the Sabah state elections
Despite having different views, he said all parties in BN should be together to ensure a BN victory in the state elections on Sept 26
"It is true that differences of opinion should be feted, but we should respect the 'establishment' that has been set where the Sabah State Umno Liaison Committee chairperson and the Sabah BN chairperson are appointments made by me as Umno president and BN chairperson
"So, of course, it is more reasonable for any chairperson of the state liaison body and also the state BN chairperson to lead the machinery in the by-election, let alone state elections," he told reporters when attending a friendly programme at Besout 3 in Tanjung Malim, Perak, today
He was commenting on several Sabah Umno leaders who did not agree with Bung Moktar's appointment in leading the BN machinery to face the polls because he had a case in court
Ahmad Zahid said all quarters in BN must find the best way to be on the same platform of struggle, and not give leverage to the party's political enemies
"They certainly want to see division among us," he added
Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid said he had consulted with Umno deputy and vice-presidents, as well as members of the Supreme Council and chairperson of the state Umno liaison bodies as well as federal ministers and deputy ministers from BN to assist the campaign in designated zones in Sabah
On the distribution of seats, Ahmad Zahid said the matter had not been finalised with other parties in the Perikatan Nasional and neither was the distribution of candidates among the party's (Umno) wings
"However, I am confident that what I have discussed with the Sabah Umno leadership that all factors representing age, professionals and even new faces will be given priority so that the face of change this time will give new hope to the voters in Sabah, "he said
The Election Commission also set the nomination date for the Sabah elections on Sept 12 while the early voting would be on Sept 22
On Bersatu's intention to join Muafakat receiving poor feedback from grassroots Umno members, Ahmad Zahid said the matter would be discussed at the Umno political bureau level and be taken to the Supreme Council for a decision
"We always listen to the voice of the grassroots and I request that all grassroots can give confidence to the top leadership of Umno in any decision. We take into account the voice of the grassroots and also the future interests of Muafakat," he said
- Bernama

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