SABAH UMNO, BN REBOUND FROM DEFEAT, THE SHIP HAS NOT SUNK - BUNG MOKTAR

By Syed Iylia Hariz Al-Qadri Syed Izman

KOTA KINABALU,  Nov 20(Bernama) -- “The ship has not sunk.” - That was the firm response of Sabah UMNO Liaison Committee chairman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin to several comrades who urged him to leave UMNO after the party’s defeat in the 14th General Election.

For Bung Moktar, “the ship has not sunk” - became his guiding motto as Barisan Nasional (BN) Chairman in Sabah—one that kept him steadfast in steering UMNO and BN through one of their most difficult periods, when many leaders chose to abandon the party following the 2018 defeat.

He said 2018 was the most challenging chapter of his political career, as almost all Sabah UMNO division leaders left the party and there were even attempts to shut down the state UMNO entirely. But to him, the party still had room for revival.

“It was really tough when Barisan Nasional lost in 2018. Not only were we betrayed, but there were attempts to close down Sabah UMNO. I said, ‘the ship has not sunk. ’ What sank was only a perception; the ship remains anchored,” he said in an exclusive interview with Bernama recently.

The defeat in the 16th Sabah State Election in 2020, which saw BN win only 14 of the 40 seats it contested, also served as a crucial lesson that ultimately strengthened the party’s strategy and resilience.

“In 2020, we faced a snap election with no preparation at all, and I had no prior experience. But for this State Election (2025), I am focused and have crafted the strongest strategy for the party. We planned everything from A to Z, and we have learned from our mistakes,” he said.

According to him, past challenges opened the door to comprehensive reforms within BN Sabah, covering candidate selection, work culture, and engagement with the people, making the party’s approach more structured and realistic.

For the 17th Sabah State Election, BN is offering a fresher slate of candidates, with 81 per cent of the 45 candidates being new faces, with nearly half of them professionals and young leaders.

“They include doctors, engineers, and various other professionals. This reflects BN’s readiness to change. We must accept that our country, including Sabah, is facing new expectations from the young generation,” he said.

He added that BN’s focus is encapsulated in the slogan “We Will Bring Sabah Back”, symbolising the party’s commitment to rejuvenate leadership, restore public confidence and revive the state’s development momentum.

Commenting on his statement, “Why not try me?”, Bung Moktar explained that it signifies his readiness to shoulder greater responsibility, including leading the state as Chief Minister if given the mandate.

He said several of his comrades in Sabah UMNO have served as Chief Ministers and believes the time has come for him to be entrusted with the role to help shape Sabah’s future.

With six terms as the Kinabatangan Member of Parliament and extensive experience developing rural communities, he said he understands the real needs of the people.

“I am confident. I come from the village, but my thinking is urban. I can develop not only Kinabatangan or the Lamag constituency that I am contesting, but the whole of Sabah,” he said.

If given the mandate, Bung Moktar said his administration would focus on resolving basic issues, such as water supply and energy, within the first three years, as these are crucial for economic empowerment and poverty reduction in Sabah.

“Water issues take time and must be resolved in phases. Sabah’s electricity capacity also needs to be increased from 3,000 to 5,000 megawatts to attract new investments,” he said.

With stronger state–federal relations, a more organised campaign strategy and renewed spirit within the party, Bung Moktar is confident that BN has the potential to spring a surprise in the 17th Sabah State Election.

“I am confident, and we continue working as underdogs. That’s fine, because we can strengthen ourselves. We in Barisan Nasional are ready for change,” he said.

The Election Commission has set Nov 29 as the polling day for the 17th Sabah State Election, while early voting is on Nov 25.

For the latest news on the 17th Sabah State Election, please visit https://prn.bernama.com/sabah/index.php.

-- BERNAMA