Bung, Shahelmy trade barbs over seat
Published on: Monday, March 18, 2024
By: Jonathan Nicholas
Bung was met at the Umno Sabah Zone 2 breaking of fast at Majlis Al Hilal in Tanjung Dumpil here.
PUTATAN: Umno Sabah Chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin said the party is not short of candidates to reclaim the Putatan seat if its current MP wishes to contest in the next election.
Bung said this would require Tanjung Keramat Assemblyman-cum-Putatan MP Datuk Ir. Shahelmey Yahya to relinquish the seat.
ADVERTISEMENT
“I don’t make the rules, these are the Election Commission’s. This means we can expect a by-election,” he said.
Umno suspended Shahelmey in January 2023 after the latter sided with Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor against a failed coup alongside Parti Warisan and Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat.
Shahelmey, in response, said he understood Bung’s message and accepts it with an open heart. “I have not made any decision yet and will only make it when I feel that the time has come,” the State Works Minister said.
Bung was met at the Umno Sabah Zone 2 breaking of fast at Majlis Al Hilal in Tanjung Dumpil here.
ADVERTISEMENT
He said a state-wide Gerak 17 tour programme to meet the grassroots and build machineries would commence after Hari Raya next month.
He said Umno’s traditional seats were lost when they were lent to previous partners.
ADVERTISEMENT
“So now we are studying our chances of winning if we choose to recontest them. Of course we don’t stand a chance in Chinese seats so we will focus on those winnable.
“Any political organization has to be ready by now. The political landscape is not the same as it was 20 years ago.
“There is no longer a dominant party. Everyone is partnering and so are we. We will be finding approaches that better suit the rakyat,” he said.
On the purported coalition with Parti Warisan, he said there is yet to be a concrete answer.
He said there had been talks but Bung is playing the cards close to his vest to avoid irreversible mistakes that could potentially set them back a decade.
“In Sabah we will have our partners,” he said.
Present were Warisan Sec-Gen. Datuk Loretto Padua and Putatan Chief Datuk Uda Sulai.
There are 12 Umno assemblymen in Sabah including one appointment.
In another development, Bung said he will be raising the issue of the Sabah Maju Jaya slogan which is on the State crest being used as a rhetoric by the state government.
“We are not attacking but just spitting facts. The rakyat are not insulting the crest but just feel like they are being fooled or misled.
“Many are asking which districts are developed? (maju) and what has been accomplished? (berjaya).
“But the government cannot answer. I will raise this in the state assembly. There could really be districts that are developed we are unaware of. Maybe they know something we don’t.
“But perennial issues like roads, electricity and water, the people are asking what options the state government has given to address these? That’s all,” he said.
He also said Umno President Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has shortlisted candidates for the seven Bersatu seats ordered to vacate after its YB’s turned to support Prime Minsiter Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
