Bung Moktar: There are no hard feelings

Sabah Umno chairman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin says he bears no ill feelings towards Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan, who has opposed his recent appointment as Sabah Barisan Nasional chief.

Saying that Abdul Rahman was entitled to his opinion, Bung Moktar said he would continue to lead the team for the state election.

Abdul Rahman and 12 other Sabah Umno division chiefs had opposed Bung Moktar’s appointment.

“Several people not agreeing, that is fine. We in Umno are systemic.

“We respect differing views but as the leader, I am focused on strengthening the party machinery.

“There are no hard feelings. We should be wise in handling such issues as we are currently in a battle. We cannot make mistakes in war,” he said at a press conference at the Sabah Umno building here yesterday.

Earlier this week, Abdul Rahman said leaders in Sabah were not consulted on Bung Moktar’s appointment and putting the Kinabatangan MP in charge of the state election was not advisable as he had pending corruption charges.

Bung Moktar admitted that these differences might affect election preparations but gave the assurance there was ample time to remedy things.

For the Tuaran division, which is led by Abdul Rahman, the division’s deputy chief will carry out the responsibilities at the grassroots level.

On whether disciplinary action would be taken against Abdul Rahman’s camp, Bung Moktar said it was up to the party’s top leadership.

On another matter, he said Sabah Barisan would use its own logo for the state election and the ongoing negotiations with partners in Sabah were expected to be finalised by end of this month.

Asked whether he would be contesting himself, he simply replied: “Insya-Allah, any pending court case won’t stop me from campaigning. Radu tatap radu (‘the fight will go on’ in local lingo),” he said.

On whether Tan Sri Musa Aman had approached him to express interest in recontesting, Bung Moktar said he had not.