KOTA KINABALU: Labuan DAP ex-protem chairman Lau Seng Kiat was told to stay out of Sabah UMNO’s business.
Sabah UMNO Liaison Chairman Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor said the presence and struggles of the non-Muslim Bumputeras in Sabah UMNO has nothing to do with DAP.
He said UMNO has been present in Sabah since over 25 years ago and has contributed so many to the State, especially in developing the State and protecting the people’s interests.
“Thus, Sabah UMNO has become the favourite choice for among the non-Muslim Bumputeras to join in fighting and serving the people, because they are confident and believe in UMNO struggles,” he said
He said this in response to Lau who, in a recent news, called on non-Muslim Bumiputera members of UMNO to leave the party.
Hajiji, who is also Tuaran UMNO Division Chief, said Sabah UMNO has never neglected its non-Muslim Bumiputera members.
“They receives the same treatment and privileges as the Muslim members of the party. They are also free to contest for posts in the party’s election, and even the post of UMNO Division Chief, like Senator Datuk John Ambrose and ex-Tenom UMNO Division Chief Datuk Rubin Balang,” he said.
“Sabah UMNO is sincere in fighting to safeguard and help the people of Sabah, particularly those at the grassroots level through the party branches.”
“Sabah UMNO is different from DAP Sabah which does not have have divisions and branches throughout Sabah…that’s why DAP cannot serve or provide for the whole people of Sabah,” he said.
Hajiji expressed his confidence that the non-Muslim Bumiputera members of UMNO would continue to be in the party and, together with the party’s new leadership, continue to fight and serve for the people.-By L.S Kuang/BNN