KOTA KINABALU - Umno will improve from their mistakes and learn from past experience not to trust others too much to ensure the party remains relevant not only at the federal level but also in the states.
Its president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Barisan Nasional (BN) was a victim of political manipulation, describing the matter as "evident” and "obvious”.
"In regards to this, we learn from the past and improve from our mistakes as well as our absolute trust in an organisation or individual because we need to have our own political stand and priority should be given to our party.
"Certainly BN wants to remain relevant not only nationally but also in Sabah’s political landscape,” he said during a press conference after launching the Tri-Annual Delegates Conference of Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) at Hakka Hall in Likas on Feb 12.
Also present were PBRS president Tan Sri Joseph Kurup, his deputy Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup and Sabah Umno chief Datuk Seri Bung Mokhtar Radin.
Zahid said this after reporters asked him to clarify further what he meant when he said that they will not be cheated by other parties like what had happened during the Sabah State Elections back in 2020.
Earlier during his speech, Zahid claimed that Bersatu had attempted to subtly kill Umno and BN during the polls.
"We carried them (Bersatu) with us but with the manipulation and political agenda - even though we got 14 seats in the State Assembly and Umno, BN was promised the chief minister position - during the nomination, another person’s name was announced.
"But for GE15 (15th General Election), I have told myself, Datuk Seri Bung Mokhtar and Datuk Arthur not to be fooled again if we want to become the Sabah government.
"Don’t let the snake bite us at the same spot, make sure we kill the snake so they cannot bite us anymore,’ he said in his speech.