KOTA BELUD: Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak, the assemblyman for Usukan, has been selected as the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for the Usukan state constituency in the upcoming 17th State Election (PRN).
The announcement was made by Sabah BN Chairman, Datuk Seri Panglima Bung Moktar Radin, during his speech at the Gerak 17 Sabah UMNO program for Usukan on Saturday.
Salleh, who also serves as the Sabah UMNO treasurer, is the second candidate to be announced for the BN in this election.
Earlier, Jeffery Nor Mohamed, the Putatan Umno chief, was named as the BN candidate for the Tanjung Keramat state seat.
Bung, who is also the Sabah UMNO chief, stated that Salleh’s nomination meets the necessary criteria and reflects the wishes of the Usukan community, who want him as their representative.
“He (Salleh) has made important contributions and sacrifices for the party and the people, particularly in this area, and he is the preferred choice for Usukan,” he said.
Bung noted that Usukan is significant as the birthplace of UMNO in Sabah, dating back to the by-election on May 11, 1991, when the late Tun Datu Mustapha Datu Harun won the seat.
He urged the people of Usukan to come together and regain that momentum to not only defend the Usukan state assembly seat in the upcoming election but also to reclaim the Tempasuk state seat, which was previously held by UMNO.
Bung called on the community, especially UMNO members in Usukan, to unite, collaborate, and ensure that all strategies are effectively executed to secure BN’s victory in the upcoming state election.
“After nearly five years of the current government in Sabah, the people continue to face failures, particularly regarding basic infrastructure,” he added.