KENINGAU: Umno vice president Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi would like to see Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) continue ruling Sabah.
He called on the people to maintain the BN for continuity of development for the people in this state.
“We do not want Sabah to fall in the hands of the opposition in the next election. I am confident the people of this state will continue to faithfully support the BN to maintain the present government,”he said when opening the joint delegates meeting of Umno Keningau and Pensiangan division at the community hall here yesterday.
Zahid, who is also Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, pointed out that the sense of belonging and familiarity, Umno’s good relationship irrespective of position and the long relationship has become its strength.
He is quite confident in the 14th general election if the sense of belonging is ignited in every member of the party and the BN, all the seats in Pensiangan and Keningau will be won by BN candidates.
“However, members must work hard and top leaders need to go down to resolve the problems faced by the people. I firmly believe that to get the support of the people we should be working harder to understand their needs,”he said.
He also announced an allocation of RM1 million for every BN parliamentary constituency for the development of the people in this state.
Zahid said when a leader is holding a high position either in the government or the party, the leader needs to put himself in their place so that reciprocity can be translated and each leader knows their job.
“Leaders that are given position must be responsible to help the grassroots so that Umno and the BN will have the support from the people. Every leader has to resolve the problems even though they have different opinions, and the party must be given priority,”he said.
Zahid also called on Umno members in this state, especially Keningau and Pensiangan, to remain united and maintain unity to strengthen Umno and BN in this state.
Earlier in his speech, Pensiangan Umno chief Datuk Abdul Ghani Datuk Yassin, called on the federal government to create another State constituency in Pensiangan. He said this is also to strengthen BN in Pensiangan as the elected representatives would be fully supported by the strength of Umno in the area.
He also asked the government to build a police station in Sook area where an application had been made since 2013. At the same time, additional police personnel in Sook sub-district and Nabawan police station is needed to tackle criminal activities in both districts.
“I also ask for a control post to be set up at Kalabaka-Sapulut road to control smuggling activities and influx of foreigners using the road,” he said.
Ghani also told Umno members that the recent cabinet reshuffle should not be questioned because it is the prerogative of the Prime Minister.
Some 3,000 people, including Deputy Chief Minister and Sabah Umno liaison secretary Datuk Yahya Hussin, Keningau Umno division head Datuk Haji Sairin Karno and Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah president Tan Sri Joseph Kurup were present at the event.