KOTA KINABALU: The Sungai Limau by-election remains a priority over the upcoming party election for Kedah Umno chief Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir.
"I have to ensure the by-election runs smoothly because this is my first time as the Menteri Besar of Kedah," he said after meeting Sabah party leaders here today.
"We have to convince the electorate there to give us the chance to deliver a representative (from the Barisan Nasional) to the state assembly," added Mukhriz who is eyeing the vice presidency in the party elections.
The by-election will be held on Nov 4 following the death of its incumbent, former Menteri Besar Tan Sri Azizan Abu Bakar, from heart complications and diabetes last month.
Nomination for candidates for the by-election is on Oct 23 and BN is expected to announced its candidate on Oct 21.
"I will have much spare time to move around because the dates for announcing the candidate and the nomination will come soon after the party election on Oct 19," he added.
In the 13th general election last May 5, Azizan of PAS, retained the state seat with a majority of 2,774 votes in a four-cornered fight.
Mukhriz who is vying for for Umno vice president post, said he hoped his supporters from Sabah Umno would understand his role to secure victory for the coalition in the by-election.
Mukhriz has been in Sabah since Wednesday to attend the candidate introductory session here, and had visited Sepanggar, Kudat, Kota Marudu and Sandakan before returning here for another round of meeting sessions with his supporters.
"Sabah has always been the BN and UMNO fixed deposit as it has the second largest number of divisions in the country (after Johor).
"With the overwhelming response and the hospitality I get from the people here, I hope it can be translated as strong support towards my candidacy," he added.
During his rounds in the various divisions, Mukhriz said the party would need young leaders to face the opposition in the next General Election.
"In the years to come the present crop of opposition leaders like Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Lim Kit Siang, Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat amd Karpal Singh will likely be replaced by their younger peers," he said.
"By the next election, many of them would have the experience as elected representatives for at least a term or two. Who do we have to show and face them in the 14th General Election?."
"Umno needs young and capable leaders who can articulate points and respond eloquently to all the allegations from the oppositions. But that doesn't mean we should reject the senior leaders.
"That will also not work. What we need is a balanced mixed of young and experienced leaders," he said.
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