Sabah Bersatu hopes state Umno solves internal problem before election

Sabah Bersatu hoped that the state chapter of Umno would solve its internal conflict in time to prepare for the state election.

State Bersatu chief Hajiji Mohd Noor (above) was asked to comment on the disagreement voiced by Umno supreme council member Abdul Rahman Dahlan over the appointment of Sabah Umno chairperson Bung Moktar Radin as elections director for the upcoming state poll.

"I don't want to comment on the matter. It's the party's (Umno's) internal matter.

"But our hope is that they can solve the problem to face the election," said Hajiji during a press conference in Sabah today.

The state election is set on Sept 26, with the nomination day on Sept 12.

Abdul Rahman had labelled the selection of Bung to lead the party election machinery as a "suicidal move."

“No party in the whole world would put someone who has an active court case (and is) attending court cases to become the leader of the party going into the election,” he had said.

Bung (photo) is facing three corruption charges over bribes totalling RM2.8 million that were allegedly solicited during his tenure as Felcra chairperson.

BN chairperson Ahmad Zahid Hamidi defended Bung's appointment, saying that it is reasonable for any chairperson of the state liaison body and also the state BN chairperson to lead the machinery in an election.

According to the Election Commission (EC), there are 1.12 million registered voters in Sabah. They targeted 70 percent voter turnout for the state election.

Sabah Bersatu to reach 200,000 members by year-end

Meanwhile, when asked to reveal the number of Bersatu members in the state, Hajiji said they currently have 105,000 members.

But the state party membership was expected to grow due to high demand, he said.

"As of two weeks ago, we recorded 105,000 members. But there were many applications in the process by party divisions throughout the state.

"Our estimate is that by the end of the year, we could reach 200,000.

"The demands (to join the party) are high. It shows that Bersatu is well received in Sabah," he added.

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