KOTA KINABALU, Oct 14 — Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) will feature 81 per cent new candidates — half of whom are young people — in the upcoming 17th Sabah state election.
Sabah BN chairman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin said that although the number is not totally finalised, they were ready to contest in some 48 seats.
“Some 81 per cent of our candidates are new faces, and 50 per cent are young people. There will also be women candidates, though the final number has not been decided,” he said during a press conference at the Umno Sabah headquarters here on Monday night
He also said all BN component parties — Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah and MCA will be contesting.
“We’ll also sign agreements with candidates to address the anti-hopping practice. I’m confident this time our candidates are loyal — not like those who betrayed us before,” he said.
Bung, who is also the Umno Sabah chief, said a total of 614,994 Umno members across the state have been mobilised ahead of the election.
“Out of that number, 474,252 are registered voters. We will announce our list of seats and candidates one week before nomination day,” he said.
He added that BN will also launch its election machinery and unveil its new manifesto — the ‘Sabah Development Plan’, aimed at improving the state’s economy and people’s livelihoods.
It would include promises to resolve critical infrastructure issues such as clean water, roads, and electricity within specific timeframes, as well as the creation of a Sabah Prosperity Fund, focused on improving the welfare and future of Sabahans.
“We are offering a range of new initiatives to fix Sabah’s economy and the future of its people. Young people will not be left behind in our long-term development plans,” he said.
