WHILE dismissing allegations that Umno Sabah is facing a friction, its liasion chief Bung Moktar Radin said they are in no rush to find political partners for the next state election that could be called anytime before September 2025.

He said the party was focussing on strengthening itself from the grassroots up and would conduct statewide tours from February.

“Our priority is to strengthen the party first. Through this series of tours, we will monitor and see for ourselves the party’s strength in terms of preparations, as well as explain current issues to our members,” he said in Kota Kinabalu, yesterday.

Bung was asked to comment on talk that Sabah Umno and Parti Warisan among others were looking at electoral cooperation in the upcoming polls.

He said Sabah Umno welcomed cooperation but it must be based on the principle of respecting each other’s principles and benefitting not just the parties but the state’s people as a whole.