Bung as ‘poster boy' unwise with graft case proceeding, says analyst
PETALING JAYA : It would be unwise for the Barisan Nasional-Pakatan Harapan alliance to name Bung Moktar Radin as their 'poster boy' for the coming state polls with a corruption case still hanging over the state BN chief's head, says an analyst.
Universiti Sains Malaysia's Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid said BN-PH cannot afford to put Bung forward as the candidate for chief minister as his court case makes him a 'liability'.
Last week, Bung and his wife, Zizie Izette Abdul Samad, failed in their application for a review of a Court of Appeal ruling ordering that they enter their defence on graft and abetment charges over a RM150 million Felcra investment.
Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid.
Fauzi said BN-PH needs to be led by a person whom the public perceives as free from corruption, and one whose reputation goes beyond ethnic and religious lines.
He suggested that Gabungan Rakyat Sabah chairman Hajiji Noor is best suited for the role if BN-PH can seal an electoral pact with the state-based coalition.
'He's acceptable to PH and, while a compromise, is a figure who's able to soothe tensions between the two Umno camps led by Bung and (Sabah Umno deputy chief) Abdul Rahman Dahlan,' he told FMT.
'They need a figure whose reputation transcends Sabahans of all ethno-religious persuasions and can unite Muslim and indigenous non-Muslim communities, especially.
' Some within Sabah Umno are touting the name of Salleh Said Keruak, a former chief minister, again.'
That said, Fauzi acknowledged the strength of Bung's relations with Sabahans on the ground, especially rural voters. He said this may outweigh the liability brought on by his corruption case.
Bung and his wife were ordered to enter their defence last November in connection with the receipt of RM2.8 million in bribes to secure Felcra's approval to invest RM150 million in Public Mutual unit trusts.
Bung was non-executive chairman of Felcra at the time the alleged offences were committed.
The couple is scheduled to begin their defence to the charges in the Kuala Lumpur sessions court on Aug 18.
Earlier this month, Sabah Umno proposed that Bung be made BN's poster boy for the polls. BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, however, dismissed the proposal saying it was not the right time to determine the candidate.
Awang Azman Pawi.
Universiti Malaya's Awang Azman Pawi said BN-PH should put to rest all talk about whose image should adorn its campaign paraphernalia.
'It's pointless to endlessly debate about the chief ministerial candidate only to end up losing the polls. Their focus should be on winning as many seats as they can,' he said.
Nonetheless, Awang Azman said it would be unfair to consider Bung as unsuitable for the honour since he has yet to be convicted by the court.
'Bung's strength lies in the grassroots. He is among the handful of Sabah Umno leaders who still command their own influence, especially in rural areas and among the party's machinery.
'Sabahans also largely aren't influenced by perceptions from mainstream media or social media. Sabah politics is very local in nature, heavily dependent on personal relations, field work and long-established grassroots support, which Bung has.'
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