Joint S'wak polls dismissed

Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Umno has rejected the possibility of the State holding its elections simultaneously with Sarawak, which is expected to hold theirs late this year or early next year.

"We have been holding the State election together with the peninsula since the 2004 and 2008 General Elections and there will be no change," Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman said.

Musa, who is also Sabah Umno Liaison Chief, said this after chairing the State Umno meeting at Wisma Umno building, Thursday night.

According to Musa, Sabah had its general election separately from the peninsula in 1999 but later in 2004 and 2008, the State's election was held together with the peninsula.

He urged all Umno divisional chiefs to continue stepping up recruitment of new members and registering new voters to strengthen the party for the next general election.

"Sabah Umno now has 459,817 members and I believe the figure will grow from time to time through the membership drive in each division.

"We will also open up party membership registration counters including new voters during the 'Champions of the People' programme in all divisions in Sabah," he said.

Musa said each division will organise the 'Champions of the People' programme based on a theme that has been set for each month.

For instance, education was used as a theme in January and welfare is the theme of the programme for this month.

He said the 'Champions of the People' at state level will be held on July 3 a and the venue would be informed later.

Musa also reiterated his call to all party leaders including divisional chiefs, Members of Parliament and state assemblymen to continue meeting the grassroots to serve the people's needs and interests.