BN SLOGAN 'BIKIN BALIK SABAH' AIMS TO INSPIRE CHANGE - AHMAD ZAHID

KOTA KINABALU, Nov 9 (Bernama) -- Barisan Nasional (BN) will adopt the slogan 'Bikin Balik Sabah' (Rebuild Sabah) for the 17th Sabah State Election to inspire the party machinery and voters to ensure change and development for the state.

BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said that, under the slogan, the state's economy will be revived so that it can generate employment opportunities for locals, attract investments and enable youth, women and rural entrepreneurs to be independent.

"Sabah is always for Sabahans, and we want the slogan 'Bikin Balik Sabah’ to be truly realised. We want, in this election, to be the game changer, making drastic changes for the people of Sabah.

"Sabah's economy must be reignited so that whatever is meant for Sabahans does not go to cronies,” he said during the launch of the BN machinery for the Sabah polls here today.

Also present were BN deputy chairman Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan; Sabah BN chairman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin; BN vice-chairman MCA Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong, who is also the MCA president; BN vice-president Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup, who is also the Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) president; BN secretary-general Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir; and BN treasurer-general Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister, said that under the same slogan, BN will make sure that unity in Sabah is improved and the state is no longer trapped in any power struggle drama that will only undermine harmony.

"We need a mature government that upholds integrity and is focused on guiding the people, so that they do not become pawns or be used for political gain. The people want assurance that their future and the unity among Sabahans are safeguarded,” he said.

The UMNO president added that political stability is also emphasised under the slogan because it is key to driving Sabah to become a progressive and prosperous state.

Ahmad Zahid also said that the 17th state election is not a festival of logos like in previous polls, which saw 14 political parties contesting, and that it is a platform for the people to elect a state government that can swiftly resolve their problems.

He added that some of the problems that need to be immediately addressed are the supply of clean water and electricity and the eradication of poverty.

"The people of Sabah greatly miss Barisan Nasional. It is in our hands to repay the people and BN voters. We shall repay them by providing the best service possible through BN state assemblymen (if we win),” he said.

Ahmad Zahid also said that the party or UMNO does not intend to field candidates from the Peninsula in the Sabah polls on Nov 29, and instead, all candidates will be locals.

-- BERNAMA