Set aside differences with GRS, Zahid urges Sabah Umno

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Umno must set aside its differences with parties in Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and continue to strengthen the state government, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

“We must move forward,” said the Umno president via a virtual conference during Sabah Umno’s 30th anniversary celebrations on Saturday.

“To friends in Sabah Umno, continue the fight.

“Put aside any animosity against our other friends, we must move forward from now on,” Ahmad Zahid said.

“The people’s interests are of importance and this is why we should forget superficial matters among us,” he said during the dinner in which Chief Minister and Sabah Perikatan Nasional chief Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor was the guest of honour.

Umno spread its wings to Sabah on Feb 21,1991, and led the Barisan Nasional state government from 1994 to 2018 before it lost the state in the 14th General Election to Warisan Plus.

Recently, Sabah Umno said it wanted to contest 14 of the 25 parliamentary seats, which include five seats held by their GRS ally – Sabah Bersatu.

The five MPs had won the seats on Barisan’s ticket but crossed over to Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia after GE14.

Ahmad Zahid added that the GRS coalition was a model that should be used and implemented in Sabah as Umno was open to working with all friendly parties.

“I believe the people miss us. Don’t ever brush the aspirations of the people aside.

“Use the advantage and opportunity you have now to earn their support,” he said.

Sabah Umno chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, meanwhile, reaffirmed Sabah Umno’s commitment to work together in GRS for the people’s benefit.

“This state really needs our services as the GRS governmen,” Bung Moktar said.

“So I invite all our friends to strengthen our solidarity and tidy up our machinery.

“Let us help the Sabah government help the people,” he added.

He also paid tribute to previous Sabah Umno leaders who played a role in the party and was also proud that the party had churned out many leaders including Parti Warisan Sabah’s Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, who was once an Umno vice-president.