KUALA LUMPUR, Sept. 20 -- Sabah Umno chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin has billed the coming 17th state election as the party's "final battle" to win back the state government for Barisan Nasional (BN).

According to national dailyBerita Harian, Bung urged Umno leaders and members in Sabah to seize the chance for BN to return to power and shed its role as Opposition.

He also argued that unlike smaller local parties built around individual personalities, Umno's strength lies in its ability to endure leadership changes.

"Look at Parti Warisan - without Shafie (Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal), it's finished. STAR (Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku) depends on Jeffrey (Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan), PGRS (Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah) depends on Haj...