KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Umno Information Chief Datuk Suhaimi Nasir has clarified that there is no rule preventing peninsula-based parties from participating in elections in Sabah.
According to the FMT, it was highlighted that Umno has a well-established presence in the state and functions autonomously.
Suhaimi assured that Umno respects Sabah’s autonomy and that those from Umno contesting in Sabah are Sabahans themselves.
He also mentioned that Sabah Umno is dedicated to advocating for the state’s constitutional entitlement to 40% of its net revenue.
Suhaimi criticised STAR president Jeffrey Kitingan’s call for peninsula-based parties to refrain from contesting in Sabah, stating that it goes against the constitution.
He believes that the presence of Malayan parties in Sabah does not disrupt the state’s unique history and political dynamics, nor does it divide the local population.
