Speaking to reporters while leading Umno Penampang leaders on a Chinese New Year walkabout in Donggongon township yesterday, John said that the division had many ‘turun padang’ programs planned for the year.
“If Umno Penampang is given the post, then the division will be able to carry out the activities more effectively and successfully,” John opined.
“I think the Penampang BN chairman post should be given to Umno… give us a try, why not? I don’t know if the current chairman has gone down to the ground and I cannot speak on his behalf but for Umno, we have many activities so if the position is given to us, it will be easier for us to conduct our activities,” he said.
John added that he had spoken to several people from BN component parties in Penampang and according to him, they agreed to the suggestion that Umno be given the post.
“However, the final decision is in the hands of the central BN leadership as I am only a divisional chief who works hard,” he said.
John also claimed that there had not been any meeting held between BN component parties in Penampang since the last general election and added a meeting was imperative to identify the reason(s) which had caused BN’s defeat in Penampang in the 13th general election.
“The post-mortem should have already been done and should be the priority for us because only by knowing the reasons for our defeat can we chart what to do next,” he said, and expressed his confidence that most voters in the district, including the Chinese community, are coming back to BN.
John also was of the opinion that the seat allocation quota within BN should be abolished for the next general election. To him the coalition should field winnable candidates from any BN component parties based on their work.
“Candidacy should be given to those who go down to the ground and work. Winnable candidates should be chosen from all the component parties, rather than giving the quota to people who don’t do their work.
“The quota system is making BN weaker every time because those given the seats don’t go down to the ground, ” he claimed, adding that he will bring the matter to the attention of BN chairman Datuk Seri Najib Razak, to consider.
John, however, stressed that the suggestion does not mean he was lobbying for a seat in the 14th general election.
“Yes, I have been on the ground meeting with the grassroots, but that doesn’t mean I’m lobbying for the seat. To me, it is my responsibility as Umno leader in this district, so don’t get me wrong,” he explained.
Also present were Wanita Umno Penampang chief Noraini Idris and Umno information officer Halim Tuah.
BP
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