Bung: Those who left Umno now having second thoughts

KOTA KINABALU: Former Sabah Umno lawmakers are facing uncertainties after leaving the party amid doubts that Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) will spread its wings to Sabah, said Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin.

The Sabah Umno chairman claimed that several lawmakers who left the party last week had talked to him about the possibility of returning.

“They told me that there are doubts about Bersatu coming in especially after Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said that Bersatu would not open a Sabah chapter,” Bung Moktar said yesterday.

He said that they were not keen to be direct members of the party.

“Those who talked to me included elected representatives and division leaders. I don’t want to name anyone.

“I am looking at it with an open mind,” said Bung Moktar, who now leads Sabah Umno.

Former Sabah Umno chief Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor led 16 assemblymen, parliamentarians, senators and 21 Umno division chiefs to become independents supporting Pakatan Harapan and Parti Warisan Sabah.

The defectors were widely tipped to join Bersatu though some may join local parties amid claims that about 100,000 former Sabah Umno members have filled application forms to join Bersatu.

Bung Moktar said the decision by party president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to take leave augured well with efforts to strengthen the party grassroots after the departure of top leaders.

“I believe we are moving in the right direction. Our members are coming out to support efforts to rebuild the party,” said the Kinabatangan MP who had been tasked with rejuvenating the party.