Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Umno is considering four potential male candidates for the Lamag state seat and Kinabatangan parliamentary constituency, said its Chief Datuk Jafry Ariffin.
He said the party had identified several names following consultations with grassroots leaders and division chiefs but no final decision has been made.
“All considerations will be brought to the party leadership for a decision at the appropriate time,” he told reporters after chairing the first meeting of Sabah Umno’s new leadership.
He said Sabah Umno is eyeing candidates who are winnable, capable of strengthening the party’s position and able to deliver continued development to the constituencies, adding that Kinabatangan remains a traditional Barisan Nasional stronghold.
Jafry also confirmed that Sabah Umno intends to defend both seats to ensure continuity of development and service to the people.
However, discussions with Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, who is also the GRS Chairman, will take place before any official announcement is made.
“As part of the Sabah unity government, we will engage in discussions with the Chief Minister and coalition partners, as directed by the party’s central leadership,” he said, adding that he has personally sought the Chief Minister’s consent for Barisan Nasional to defend the seats.
He said there will be new faces among the potential candidates, but declined to name them, stressing that the selection process is still ongoing.
On the meeting, Jafry said Sabah Umno officially recorded its condolences to the family of the late Datuk Seri Bung Mokhtar Radin, the former Sabah Umno Chief, describing his passing as a major loss to the party.
Jafry said Sabah Umno and Barisan Nasional accept their role in the unity government with a sense of responsibility, emphasising that their priority is not just political stability but ensuring fair, inclusive and effective development for Sabah.
He added that under the new leadership, Sabah Umno remains committed to strengthening the party through a more inclusive, mature and future-focused approach, guided by the interests of the people.
During the meeting, Jafry also announced that the existing leadership line-up would largely be maintained, with Datuk Mohd Hasnol Ayub as deputy chief, Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said as treasurer and Datuk Nik Mohd Nadzri as information chief.
