KOTA KINABALU: The who’s who of Umno made a beeline for Sabah as determined candidates pushed the campaigning momentum into high gear with the party elections only three weeks away.
Sabah is an important pit stop for the candidates because its 325 delegates form the second largest group in the party general assembly, after the 578 delegates from Johor.
Sabah Umno assistant secretary Datuk Masidi Manjun said the high turn-up for a meet-the-candidates session here yesterday was a clear sign that Sabah was a key state for the contenders.
Another Sabah Umno official said there was no problem in getting the candidates to come over — with their campaigning entourage in tow.
Kalabakan MP Datuk Abdul Ghapur Salleh, an influential east coast leader from Tawau, said the grassroots were looking for visionary leaders daring to speak up for reform in Umno.
“Umno is in a critical stage. We do not want those who seek positions for power".
At the meet-the-candidates session here yesterday, many contenders were seen hard at work mingling with the delegates and local grassroots leaders.
All three Umno deputy president hopefuls – Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam and Senator Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib – received thunderous cheers.
The delegates also gave rousing support to candidates vying for the three vice-president’s posts, but the applause grew a notch louder for local boy Datuk Shafie Apdal, who was making his bid for the first time.
Muhyiddin said the election was important as it would put in place a capable team to steer the party and country through a period of tough challenges.
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