KOTA KINABALU, June 27 -- Sabah Umno chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin has dismissed rumours of stepping aside in the coming state election.

Speaking to Malay Mail recently, Bung said that not only would he defend his Lamag state assembly seat, he also had his eyes firmly set on becoming chief minister.

"How to be chief minister if I don't contest?" he said with a laugh, brushing off speculation that he was making way for his son to run in Lamag.

Bung warned that any attempt to sideline him would jeopardise the party's revival in Sabah.

"If you remove me, Umno Sabah will shut down," said the six-term Kinabatangan MP.

'I rebuilt Sabah Umno'

Often characterised in national politics by his brash style, Bung insisted he had done the he...