Umno looking to field candidate for Bugaya by-election, says Bung Moktar

SEMPORNA - Sabah Umno is ready to consider fielding its own candidate for the upcoming Bugaya by-election which is due to be held soon, said state chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin.

However, he said the consideration will take into account several aspects including support from the local community.

"In the last state election, we (Barisan Nasional) did not field a candidate to contest in this area as it was represented by a candidate from Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), Daud Tampokan but he lost at the hands of Warisan that was represented by Manis Muka Mohd Darah,'' he said.

Bung Moktar was speaking to the media after chairing a meeting with the Semporna Umno leadership at their office earlier today.

Commenting further, Bung Moktar said the Election Commission (EC) will announce the date for the by-election soon.

"This is because there is a downward trend in the Covid-19 outbreak at the moment. But the decision to hold the by-election here will be set by the EC and our side (BN) are ready including fielding our own candidate.

Bung Moktar who is also the BN Sabah chairman said the loss incurred by its previous candidate for the state seat, Datuk Abdul Razak Tun Sakaran will not be used as a measuring stick.

"But this will not hold us back to field a candidate for the by-election if it is held soon. We understand that Warisan President Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal's influence remains strong.

"However, people's acceptance of BN is currently on the rise and this has been proven in several by-elections including BN's overwhelming win in Melaka recently,'' he said.

Bung also said he is confident that Umno could take Bugaya as the party have some 180 branches in the state seat which will give full support to the campaign efforts there.