KOTA KINABALU: Sabah’s next state election is not due until 2025 but state Umno members have been told to prepare for it “like it’s tomorrow”.
Issuing the call, Sabah Umno election director Jeffery Noor Mohmed said the party divisions and branches must get ready, adding that only hard work could lead them to victory.
“Let’s not think that the state election, or even the general polls, is a long way off and thus take it easy.
“There is no room for such mentality.”
“Right now, we must think like the election is tomorrow,” said Jeffery after an engagement session with the Sabah Umno election unit and the Lahad Datu Umno divisional leadership recently.
Also present were Lahad Datu Umno division chief Sharif Musa Sharif Mabul and his deputy Datuk Saleha Wahid, among others.
Jeffery, who is also Putatan Umno chief, said it is important to always put the party first in all situations as Umno and Barisan Nasional prepare for the state election.
“In the past year, we carried out many activities. It is now the last turn (before the election) where we have to strengthen our spirit, close ranks and put aside our differences following the party polls.”
He said things are somewhat complicated for Sabah Umno, pointing out that it is part of the federal unity government, but the party is also considered an opposition party in the state.
Jeffery also spoke about the need for the party machinery to be streamlined besides intensifying membership registration drives.
“All forms of programmes to reach the grassroots need to be activated; it doesn’t need to be on a large scale,” he said.