KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Umno wants its grassroots to prepare for a state election at all times amidst cold relations with the state's governing Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) led by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
Sabah Umno election director Jeffery Nor Mohamed said the party could expect challenges, especially with recent statements by Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) president Hajiji that they are ready to win certain state and parliamentary seats held by Umno.
Jeffery said such statements made it clear that cooperation between GRS and Sabah Umno is becoming very difficult.
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"At no point have we made any statement against Gagasan Rakyat, not even a single official word criticising it. This is because we respect the unity government.
"This is a challenge Sabah Umno needs to take up because the statements by some Gagasan Rakyat leaders prove that it is difficult for us to cooperate," he added.
On Saturday (July 8), Hajiji said that Gagasan Rakyat had identified the Lamag and Sukau state constituencies as must-win seats.
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Lamag is held by Sabah Barisan-Umno chairman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin while Sukau is held by Sabah Umo secretary Datuk Jafry Ariffin.
Relations between Hajiji and Bung Moktar soured after the failed political coup to topple Hajiji in January but some Barisan elected representatives remained aligned with the Chief Minister.
Jeffery said what was important for Sabah Umno is to be prepared for any challenges likely to arise if the state election is held before the legislative assembly's term ends in September 2025.
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However, Jeffery said Sabah Umno will work closely with parties under the national unity government that are sincere about cooperating.
"We only need to be mobilised and activated to constantly keep our election machinery activated and remain in a state of preparedness," he added.
