State election likely next year?
Published on: Friday, June 24, 2016
Penampang: Umno Penampang is ready to face any upcoming election, be it the general election or the State polls, the latter of which widely rumoured to be held next year.Its Divisional Chief Datuk John Ambrose said its election machinery is geared up as it has been activated and ready to be mobilised at any time."I heard about the rumour that the State election will be held next year but am uncertain whether such rumour is true or not.
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"Nonetheless, I leave such matter to the party's top leadership because what is important is for the division here to be ever ready to work hard in facing the upcoming election with full commitment and dedication," he said.Ambrose said this to Daily Express when met during a breaking of fast ceremony and presentation of 1Malaysia Ramadan aid held at Al-Fattah Mosque in the district police headquarters, here.The division's Religious and Spiritual Enhancement Bureau headed by Dr Abd Rashid Hassan, in cooperation with MCA Penampang headed by its divisional chief Datuk Francis Goh, contributed RM20,000 to the eligible recipients.Over 300 people including 190 eligible recipients of the 1Malaysia Ramadan contributions attended the programme which was part of its 'Membara Program'. The recipients included 48 non-Muslims, orphans, special people, elderly people and those listed in the e-kasih.
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Also present were Umno Penampang deputy head Datuk Mohd Hasnol Datuk Ayub, its vice chief Adrian Sikawah, Wanita chief Noraini Idris, Penampang Police Chief DSP Rosley Hobden, MCA Sabah adviser Datuk Paul Kong and other officials.Regardless when the election is held, Ambrose said it is imperative that all component parties of Barisan Nasional (BN), leaders and members in Penampang stay strong and united so as to smoothen all works and tasks to win all the Penampang seats.
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"What I want is unity among the BN component parties. I do not want anyone back-stabbing when he or she is not selected to be an election candidate here and they should not be upset or disappointed."Nonetheless, I believe all BN leaders here are matured enough and I hope all will learn from past mistakes. We have lost the two State and parliamentary seats before and that was not the first time."But I would not be surprised if we are able to sweep all the three seats and we will work hard to achieve that," he said.To a question, Ambrose said the division is actively conducting a 'Jom Masuk Kampung' programme, making efforts to increase the division's membership, and registering party members here to be voters, among others.He said the divisional leaders here would go down to meet the grassroots regularly under the 'Jom Masuk Kampung' programme and find out and address their problems and needs.Earlier, in his speech, Ambrose said the division has pledged to help meet the religious needs of various houses of worship here.He said some 38 churches, 10 mosques and surau registered under Sabah Islamic Religious Affair Department (Jheains) as well as temples would be assisted to meet their religious needs."I am pleased to acknowledge that the local communities of different religions here have been open-minded and more receptive on the issue of prayer facilities. The programme was held at the police compound near the Al-Fattah Mosque as it has a vast space which is convenient to all."Hence, I hope this event is another avenue for all to strengthen unity by practising understanding and mutual respect for each other's religious faiths and practices."This is what we want, for the people to maintain peace and live harmoniously with each other despite various backgrounds," he said, adding that Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman believed in preserving and maintaining interracial and religious unity as the most crucial assets for the smooth development of Sabah.Ambrose said he was pleased to note that the 1Malaysia Ramadan assistance was not only given out to Muslims but also to non-Muslims which reflected the spirit of unity.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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