'Don't create team A and team B' - Bung Moktar

KOTA KINABALU - Sabah Umno chairman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin reminds party members not to create 'team A and team B' within the leadership group in the state.

He said teamwork culture must instilled in the Umno leadership at all levels in the state to secure victory in the upcoming elections.

"We must foster a culture of teamwork... leadership at all Umno division levels must come together, walk in unison and avoid any divisions.

"Do not create team A and team B because if this is still happening, it will weaken our strength. If we aim to succeed, let's work towards victory," he said during a Sabah Umno event, here, yesterday.

Also present at the event were state Umno secretary Datuk Jafry Arifin; state Umno information chief Datuk Suhaimi Nasir, state Umno Wanita chief Senator Datuk Noraini Idiris, and Umno Supreme Council Member Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin.

The Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman further urged all party leaders to find ways to reverse the trend of voter rejection towards Umno.

Bung added that Umno leaders needed to reassess what needed to be done to counter the trend of voter rejection, whether in urban or rural areas.

"New approaches to approach the grassroots must also be carried out by Umno Divisions, which should not be limited to Umno members only but should be expanded to the wider community.

"In addition to staunch Umno supporters out there, there are still groups who are not affiliated with any party, the elderly and the less fortunate who need attention.

"Even though they are from different parties, youth associations, single mothers' associations, retired government employee associations and other non-governmental organisations (NGOs) also need to be approached.

"We need to change our approach with a new dimension; these communities certainly have members and supporters. If we approach them politely and warmly, help them, it is not impossible for them to support the struggle of Umno," he said.

Meanwhile, Bung said the party needed to introduce a political concept to stabilise the people's economy and develop business economics in line with the current economic challenges.

"We are no longer adopting old cultural approaches in terms of programme arrangement.

“For example, approaching the youth is not just about organising sports competitions, assisting sports equipment, but programmes that provide knowledge in business and entrepreneurship should also be organised in collaboration with relevant government agencies.

"This is to ensure that young people are exposed to knowledge and opportunities provided by the government to boost their economy," he said.

In this regard, he reiterated that to win in the upcoming elections, Umno in Sabah cannot rely solely on its own members but must attract more external voters to support the party's cause.