KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Umno chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin has dismissed rumours of internal discord among the party's leaders, despite his absence from the Tuaran Umno Division Delegates Meeting.
He clarified that his absence at the meeting, which was officiated by Deputy Prime Minister and Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, was due to a prior engagement and not indicative of a split within Sabah Umno.
"My absence does not reflect a split in Sabah Umno. It was purely coincidental that the event clashed with a previously scheduled commitment, preventing my attendance," he said.
The meeting was attended by Sabah Umno Deputy Chief and Tuaran Umno division chief Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan and Usukan state assemblyman Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak.
Bung Moktar's absence led to speculation about discord between him and Abdul Rahman, further fuelled by the presence of Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) leaders at the event.
Bung Moktar and Hajiji have had a strained relationship since the political upheaval early last year when Bung Moktar declared a loss of confidence in Hajiji and his GRS government.
There were also reports suggesting a disagreement between Bung Moktar and Abdul Rahman over Umno Sabah's alliances in the upcoming state elections, particularly concerning Parti Warisan.
Despite the speculations, Bung Moktar attended the Sepanggar Umno and Papar Umno Division Delegates Meetings officiated by Ahmad Zahid after the Tuaran event, as well as the Umno Kimanis meeting in Bongawan today.
He described the allegations against him and Umno Sabah as slander motivated by jealousy and fear of the party's strength and unity in Sabah.
He urged Umno members not to be misled by opposition allegations on social media aimed at disrupting the party's unity.
"Sabah Umno's strength is currently on a solid path to continue the struggle to reclaim the government after the upcoming state elections," he said.
Bung Moktar emphasised that Umno Sabah had faced numerous challenges, especially after Barisan Nasional's defeat in the 14th General Election in 2018.
However, thanks to his determination and efforts by his former deputy Datuk Yakub Khan and other leaders, Umno Sabah has rebounded and is now stronger than before.