SANDAKAN: Sabah Chairman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin said the state’s many problems are mainly due to being governed by local parties.
“We should be more prosperous but the Malayan party was left out because it wanted a local party.
“We are poor and governed by local parties. From the beginning of the local party, the people suffered because everything was sold, even water was sold.
“Likewise, the salty water problem faced by the people of Sandakan has yet to be resolved,” he said, at the BN Sabah 2024 Convention at SMJK Tiong Hua Multipurpose Hall, Sunday.
He was apparently referring to calls not to vote for peninsula-based parties as they have to abide with instructions from Putrajaya on policies and issues which can affect Sabah.
Star President Datuk Sr Jeffrey Kitingan had earlier said that on top of Sabah and Sarawak already being denied one-third representation in parliament following
Singapore’s exit in 1965, Sabahans voting for peninsula-based parties would only further weaken the voices of Sabah and Sarawak in parliament.
He said the convention attended by 15,000 supporters shows that Sabah BN is ready for the 17th State Election (PRN17)
This time BN has transformed with a new face, new initiatives and new offers for to renew the mentality of Sabahans, he said.
“We have gone through various insults and slanders, everything is a challenge because for us a struggle without a challenge is not a struggle. There is no easy way. I always say, ready to move forward.
“We cannot hide that today’s government has failed to fulfil the trust given by the people of Sabah, that is why through the resolution earlier, Sabah BN will hold firm not only to win, but after winning we will work for the people.
“We will remove Sabah from poverty. Sabah is a state that has the potential to be developed because of its many resources, but due to inaccurate management and lack of commitment, Sabah is poor and backward,” he said,
Bung Moktar said BN “needs to move forward and strengthen the machinery, unite the mind in one tone and one voice, we can no longer argue, divide as we have learned enough.”
“In today’s assembly, I want to state to the BN leaders that we are in Sabah, whether we join any party or not, we will decide that. We will decide our future but I guarantee my decision is the best for everyone. Stop fighting over trivial matters because we need to get Sabah out of many problems.
“I will make sure that we will not give candidates from outside that you don’t want anymore. I will give you the candidate you like,” Bung said.
The Sabah BN Convention 2024 held in conjunction with Sabah’s 50th BN Golden Jubilee was officiated by the National BN Chairman, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The convention, which was attended by about 15,000 people, including BN representatives from all over Sabah, was enlivened with various events such as artist performances, lucky ticket draws, exhibitions from various agencies and food and drink sales.
