Sabah Bn Not Looking For Poster Boy Ahead Of State Polls

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Sabah BN chief Bung Moktar Radin said the coalition will prioritise candidates who are locals in the constituencies they are contesting at the upcoming state election.
PETALING JAYA: Barisan Nasional (BN) is not focused on who will be appointed as its “poster boy” for the Sabah state election, saying all of its candidates are qualified to be the chief minister.
Sabah BN chairman Bung Moktar Radin told FMT that the coalition was focused on winning as many seats as possible to ensure that BN can lead the state administration in cooperation with other parties.
“We’ll set aside the issue of who the ‘poster boy’ or chief minister candidate is. What’s important is that Umno-BN must win many seats, and I want to make sure that our candidates can achieve this,” he said.
“In fact, all of the candidates that BN will field will meet the criteria, the quality, and the characteristics we will set for appointment as chief minister.
“If I win… I will consider the chief minister’s post.”
Bung said Sabah BN would field a balanced line-up of candidates from various backgrounds, 80% of whom would be new faces.
He also said that Sabah BN would prioritise candidates who are locals in the constituencies they are contesting, and who are well-liked by the public.
He reminded party members not to participate in infighting once the candidates are announced if they want to see BN return to power in Sabah.
“There are many potential candidates, but we will choose just one. (Party members) must be loyal to the party, whoever is chosen,” he said, adding that the coalition was fully prepared to contest the state election.
The Sabah government has until October before the state assembly must be dissolved to make way for fresh elections.
Bung previously said BN intends to contest more than 40 seats at the state polls.
During the 2020 state election, Sabah Umno contributed 14 seats to a coalition comprising BN, Bersatu, Parti Bersatu Sabah, Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku and several others.
Although Sabah Umno withdrew its support for chief minister Hajiji Noor in January 2023, five of its assemblymen – including current deputy chief minister Shahelmey Yahya – have continued to back the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah chairman. - FMT

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