SABAH Umno has a better chance of winning in the upcoming state election compared to other opposition parties, said Bung Moktar Radin.

The state chairman refused to be drawn on Bersatu’s position in the state but repeatedly said Umno should be given more seats to contest, as it has been in the state longer.

The state election this time around will see an additional 13 new seats up for grabs.

“Umno has an advantage in Sabah. But so do other parties. However, Umno has been here for a longer time.

“Umno should be given extra seats and I will provide a good negotiator to discuss seat allocation,” said Bung during a press conference today at the state headquarters livestreamed on social media.

On Thursday, Sabah Chief Minister Mohd Shafie Apdal announced the dissolution of the state assembly, paving the way for a state election to be held within 60 days.

Umno leaders in peninsula and Sabah have been sniping at Bersatu’s presence in the state and the seats it should be allowed to contest since the dissolution.

Umno vice-president Mohamed Khaled Nordin yesterday told Sabah Bersatu to not be hasty in declaring its desire to contest the bulk of seats in the state election.

Khaled took issue with state chief Hajiji Noor’s statement yesterday that it will contest 45 out of 73 state seats.

“He has his party, we have ours. Bersatu only exists in Sabah because of some traitors.  

“Umno will continue to get the support of the grassroots,” Khaled said on Facebook along with a post on Hajiji’s remarks.

Umno Youth information chief Shahril Hamdan also criticised Hajiji for rushing to declare the number of seats desired even before negotiations with Sabah Umno.

Hajiji was among 11 Umno reps who left the party after the last general election.

They are Masidi Manjun (Karanaan), Rahim Ismail (Pantai Manis), Japlin Akim (Usukan), Mohd Ariffin Mohd Arif (Membakut), Jamli (Tampasuk), Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan (Apas), Isnin Aliasnih (Klias), Jusli Ajirul (Gum-Gum), Musbah Jamli (Tampasuk) and Ghulam Bahadar Khan (Kawang).

Shafie dissolved the assembly just hours after former chief minister Musa Aman claimed the opposition bloc had secured a simple majority to form a new state government.

Bung said Sabah Umno will come up with a complete list of candidates within two weeks.

“I will get this done in two weeks. The finalised list will be announced in two weeks’ time,” he added.

He also said that Umno and its counterparts in Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional will contest in all 73 state seats.

“Some 90% of Umno candidates will be new faces and together with our friends we will contest in all 73 seats,” the Kinabatangan MP added.

In the 14th general election, a total of 60 seats were contested in Sabah. Then, in July last year, the Dewan Rakyat approved a bill to increase the number of seats in the state assembly to 73.

The 13 new seats are N02 Bengkoka, N06 Bandau, N08 Pintasan, N13 Pantai Dalit, N17 Darau, N24 Tanjung Keramat, N27 Limbahau, N44 Tulid, N47 Telupid, N51 Sg Manila, N58 Lamag, N61 Segama and N70 Kukusan.

Bung himself will contest in Lamag. – August 2, 2020.