Sabah Umno proposes Bung Moktar as BN's 'poster boy' for state polls
KUALA LUMPUR: Sabah Umno plans to propose its chief, Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, as Barisan Nasional's (BN) 'poster boy' for the upcoming state election.
This comes despite the Kinabatangan member of parliament previously saying that the party was not prioritising the selection of a 'poster boy'.
Sabah Umno information chief Datuk Suhaimi Nasir said Bung is seen as the most suitable figure to front BN Sabah, given his position as the coalition's top leader in the state.
"For us (Sabah Umno), it has always been the tradition for the BN chairman to be the poster boy," he said during an interview with several media outlets, including the New Straits Times recently.
Suhaimi, who is also the Libaran MP, said, however, that the PH-BN alliance has yet to officially name any individual as its poster boy.
"We need to seek advice from the presidents of both parties," he added.
On a related matter. Suhaimi reaffirmed BN's stance to contest in 40 state seats, with the remaining 33 allocated to PH and other allies.
"Umno will mostly contest in semi-urban and rural seats, while urban seats will be given to PH or partner coalitions," he said.
Commenting on claims by Johor MCA that the BN-PH collaboration has weakened the party's influence and marginalised its role, Suhaimi said MCA must acknowledge that its support base and strength have declined.
"In Sabah, for example, MCA has never won a seat even when given the opportunity to contest in urban areas.
"They should be self-aware. If MCA is strong, BN will naturally become more dominant and regain public trust."
Previously, Johor MCA Youth chief Heng Zhi Li claimed that the BN-PH partnership had only accelerated Umno's decline while diminishing MCA's political relevance.
He also said that if the trend continued, BN component parties would be reduced to mere accessories in a PH-dominated government.
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