Sabah UMNO will continue to focus on the people - Bung Moktar

KUALA LUMPUR: Sabah UMNO remains committed to continuing cooperation in the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) despite the latest developments in the country's political scenario which saw UMNO intending to go solo in the 15th general election.

Sabah UMNO Liaison Committee chairman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin said Sabah UMNO would not follow the peninsula's political rhythm but instead would look into the best interests of the people in the state.

"We honour our promise in the election to help develop the economy, the state of Sabah and help the people.

"If we focus on politics alone and set aside the people's mandate, we are worried that the people of Sabah will not have confidence in any politician or government that will be created in the future," he told Bernama when met at the UMNO General Assembly at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur today.

GRS, which comprises Perikatan Nasional, Barisan Nasional and Parti Bersatu Sabah, formed the state government after winning the Sabah state election in September last year.

Sabah currently has the highest UMNO membership at 583,979 out of a total of 3.35 million members nationwide.

Asked whether the decision would trigger a conflict, Bung Moktar, who is also Sabah Deputy Chief Minister, did not rule out the matter but was confident that there were several formulas that could be discussed to overcome the crisis that may arise.

The Kinabatangan UMNO division head and Lamag assemblyman said UMNO scenario in Sabah was different from the peninsula.

"It is our (GRS) responsibility to develop Sabah's economy, thus empowering its politics. We have a different scenario...we want to focus on developing the economy of the people and the state of Sabah," he said.

Meanwhile, Tuaran UMNO chief Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan said he had suggested to party President Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for Sabah UMNO to continue its cooperation with GRS until the next state election.

"He (Ahmad Zahid) did not object. Sabah's history is quite unique. Before this, USNO (United Sabah National Organisation) and PBS used to be partners in Barisan Nasional at the federal level, but at the state level, USNO was the opposition in the Sabah state government at that time," he said.

-- BERNAMA