SABAH Umno liaison chairman Bung Moktar Radin sees his collaboration with Abdul Rahman Dahlan, who was appointed his deputy, as capable of further strengthening the party at the state level.

The Kinabatangan MP said although he and Rahman appear to be in conflict, they share an aim of bringing Sabah Umno to a higher level.

He said he can work with Rahman, whose past appointments as Belud MP and former federal minister gives him the necessary experience to contribute to the development of the party in the state.

“Umno president (Ahmad Zahid Hamidi) might have seen the need for Abdul Rahman and me to join forces to steer Sabah Umno, and I accept the challenge,” he told reporters after attending the Kinabatangan Iftar Ramadan in Sandakan last night.

Bung Moktar said all Umno members should be ready to be active and aggressive in defending party leaders when attacked by the opposition, especially on social media.

He said Sabah Umno will choose cybertroopers at all district polling centres to counter attacks against the party and its leaders on social media.

“This is vital because we have conducted studies in previous state and general elections, whereby the party that does not use social media will be defeated.

“The political scenario has changed. Every party must find a new approach to remain relevant when facing elections,” he said.

Bung Moktar acknowledged Umno’s major losses in recent elections were due to the party’s “culture”.

He said most party members do not prevent or defend criticism against their leaders on social media.

“Instead, they toe the line with the opposition and discredit their own leaders,” he said. – Bernama, April 11, 2023.