Sipitang Wanita Umno all geared up for coming election

PREPARATIONS... Surinam (back 2nd right) chairing the meeting in Beaufort recently

New Sabah Times, 3rd March, 2007

SIPITANG: Although the date for the next general elections has not been announced yet, the Wanita Umno division here is already busy preparing for the polls. Datuk Surinam Sadikun who heads the division said it would very soon mobilise the K10 or Group of 10 to gather the names of voters and identify current issues afflicting the people so that they can be fully addressed.

“These issues can be on problems like clogged drainage, damaged roads, uncollected garbage that must be settled now or it will be too late to do it at the last minute because then we will lose voters’ confidence,” she said. Surinam was speaking when chairing a meeting on the election machinery for the Sipitang Wanita Umno at the Weston Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary in Beaufort here recently.

The Group of 10 will have to identify the voters and the number that will vote for Barisan Nasional (BN). “Find out which voters are not within the area or cast their ballot outside the constituency and those who have passed on or names are not listed in the area. This requires meticulous work and time so we must do it now so that by the time the elections come we are prepared,” said Surinam, who is also the assemblywoman for Lumadan.

Just recently, Sabah Wanita Umno chief, Datuk Armani Mahiruddin ordered all divisions to visit the grassroots and update the list of Umno members yet to register as voters.

Surinam said past records had shown the K10 concept to be effective as there was very little difference between the figures collected by the group and the actual number of votes obtained during election day.

She reminded that it was of the utmost importance to make sure all voters come out to cast their ballots on polling day.