PUTATAN: UMNO’s expansion into Sabah was a result of the people’s request in the state, as mentioned by its president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He emphasised that it was the people of Sabah who desired UMNO to establish a presence in the state, highlighting the late Tun Mustapha’s vision of unity among the people of Sabah, Sarawak, and the peninsula.
Ahmad Zahid said that UMNO did not have any initial plans to enter Sabah, but the invitation from the people of Sabah prompted the party’s decision.
He further mentioned that Sabahans wanted UMNO to thrive in the state.
Ahmad said this in his speech at the UMNO Putatan Division’s Aidifitri celebration here on Saturday night.
Also present were the Secretary-General of Barisan Nasional (BN), Datuk Seri Dr. Zambry Abd. Kadir, the Secretary of UMNO Sabah, Datuk Jafry Arifin, Putatan UMNO chief, Jeffrey Nor, and the Treasurer of UMNO Sabah, Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak.
Ahmad Zahid reiterated that UMNO is a “national party” that represents all citizens, including Sabahans, and the decision to establish a Sabah chapter aimed at uniting Malaysians rather than dividing the Sabah-based parties.
