KOTA KINABALU: Umno vice president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein has called on party’s leaders and members in the Sepanggar division to work towards further strengthening the party.
On his part, Hishammuddin said he will ensure that Umno Sepanggar’s struggles will be achieved and its good name remains strong.
Speaking at Umno Sepanggar’s annual delegates’ meeting here yesterday, Hishammuddin reminded those present not to rest on their laurels but to continue to work hard for the people.
“I agree with acting Umno Sepanggar chief Yaakub Khan that Umno leaders must go down to the ground more often as their rise and fall in politics are in the hands of the rakyat,” he said, and called on Umno Sepanggar leaders as well as members to relay to the rakyat that Umno/Barisan Nasional (BN) will always protect their interest.
He also called on Umno divisions to ‘put their house in order’ as there is no denial of some divisions in the party having some internal issues.
The Defence Minister stressed that it would be hard to resolve issues affecting the rakyat if Umno cannot resolve its internal issues first.
In the context of Umno Sabah, Hishammuddin said, “I am pleased to report that the house in quite in order.
He added that no household is perfectly in order even pointing out that his own household is not.
“Basically for Sabah, I must admit notwithstanding what we have been going through in the present political landscape, Umno Sabah, BN Sabah is very united under the leadership of Datuk Seri Musa Aman.
“I have spoken to the divisional leaders and the delegates the last three days and I am quite happy to leave Sabah today feeling that our ‘house’ is in order,” he said, when speaking to reporters later.
“But, we should not take it for granted and maybe the blessings from what we have gone through such as internal and external threats as well as petty issues at the divisional and branch level, we put aside our differences and that is the beauty and strength of Umno from before,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, Yaakub in his welcoming address, spoke about the needs of the people in Sepanggar such as houses and basic infrastructures. With about 50 villages in the area, Sepanggar, he pointed out, is in a unique situation as it is in a suburban area.
“However, most of the allocation given to Sepanggar is used to beautify and improve the urban areas leaving not much for the villages,” he said, adding that most of the villagers in Sepanggar are staunch Umno supporters.
“I appeal to you, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin, to relay to the Umno president and Prime Minister Datuk Najib, to help resolve the issues here. We are requesting for more houses such as the PPR and PPRT for the constituents and that allocations be channelled through the party so that more can be done for the people,” he stressed.
According to Yaakub, based on the current political scenario politicians have no choice but to ‘go back to the basic’ and that means to go down to the ground to be with the rakyat.
“Do not wait for election time to go down to the ground and announce allocation(s). The time is now so that the rakyat will know that we have their interest at heart,” he said.
Yaakub also said that Umno Sepanggar is fully supportive of party president and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and will not allow anyone to cause any harm to him.
“We stand strongly and solidly behind the Prime Minister and to him we say, ‘You’ll never walk alone’ we are here for you,” he said.