Published on: Sunday, November 09, 2008 |
Kota Kinabalu: Former Chief Minister Datuk Osu Sukam's bid to make a return to active politics was dashed when he lost to Datuk Abdul Rahim Ismail in the contest for the Papar Umno division chief post, Sunday.
Abdul Rahim, 59, the Assemblyman for Pantai Manis, garnered 218 votes while Osu received 185. There were seven spoilt votes from the 410 delegates of 155 party branches here. Rahim is currently the Malaysian Fisheries Development Board (LKIM) Chairman. He has been acting chief since 2005 when Osu resigned after it was reported that he owed two casinos in United Kingdom in excess of RM7 million. On Nov. 1, Umno Sec-Gen Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said Osu was qualified to contest.
When told that Osu was never convicted in court for any casino offence, Rahim said "while that may be the case, the Papar grassroots were the judge today and the win would help to restore the party's image here.
"Osu's defeat was expected even though it was a close contest. What we need to do is focus on a very important agenda, that is, to support the transformation and reformation of Umno and form a new line of leadership at the party headquarters," he said.
The division unanimously nominated Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and International Trade and Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin for the party President and Deputy President, respectively. For the Vice-President, Rahim said the division collectively agreed to nominate Datuk Seri Hishammuddin, Datuk Shafie Apdal and Datuk Seri Syed Hamid.
