Zahid: No 'Team Bung', 'Team Rahman' in Sabah BN

New Straits Times

18-05-2025

KOTA KINABALU: Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has given his assurances that there are no factions within the party or Barisan Nasional as they prepare to face the 17th Sabah Election.
He said there was only one "faction" representing Sabah BN to carry the coalition's challenge together with Pakatan Harapan and any other party with whom they may be cooperating for the election.
"There is no 'Team Bung Moktar', no 'Team Abdul Rahman', no 'Team Salleh Said' and not 'Team Yakubah Khan', we only have 'Team Sabah BN'," he said.
Zahid, who is alos BN chairman, was speaking at the launch of the Sabah Umno "Gerak 17" for the Karambunai state seat in Sepanggar last night.
Bung Moktar refers to Sabah Umno chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, while Abdul Rahman refers to the former's deputy, Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan.
The other two named were Sabah Umno treasurer and former Sabah chief minister Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak and Sepanggar Umno chief Datuk Yakub Khan.
Zahid was believed to have made the statement following speculation that there were differences of opinion Sabah Umno's among its top leaders.
In his speech, he also said Umno could no longer afford internal conflicts among its leaders, as such discord was one of the reasons for the party's and BN's defeats in previous general elections.
"We have lost twice (in general elections) because we were too busy dealing with our differences. Each leader had their own ego, and the ones who suffered the consequences were the people.
"We want to close that chapter and open a new one... we must work in such a way that it leads to victory," he said.
He said conflicts among leaders would only hurt the people, who had done nothing wrong and only wanted development and solutions to problems such as water and electricity supply as well as better roads and various other issues.
Meanwhile, Zahid also gave his assurances that smaller parties within BN and the coalition's partners in PH would not be sidelined in the collaboration to achieve the mission of forming a government after the state election.
"We will not forget MCA, Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) who will also be given places (within the state government) even if they are a minority.
"Let's not also forget PKR, DAP and Amanah as they, too, want a place in Sabah. This is the consensus of the unity government and the Madani government — the best so far.
"We will prove in Sabah that we can form a government through this consensus," he said.
Zahid, who is deputy prime minister, said he would speak with PH chairman and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim about efforts to solve the water and energy supply issues in Sabah, as well as how to improve roads.
"The people want to see what we can offer... the people's problems need to be resolved and I promise that I will advise the prime minister that these issues need to be prioritised, with the assistance of the federal government," he said.
He added that efforts also needed to be taken to stop the exodus of Sabahan talent to the peninsula, in particular to Johor, the Klang Valley and Penang, due to the lack of job opportunities in the state.
Zahid said these issues can be addressed by attracting more foreign direct investments (FDI) and resolving infrastructure problems such as inadequate water and electricity supply, which hinder efforts to bring in investors.
"These issues will be resolved within three years if BN is given the mandate (in the state election). I also pledge to bring in investors... Sabahans must be able to work in Sabah to support their families, provided that we create jobs by bringing in foreign investors."