THE departure of elected representatives and division chiefs will not cripple Sabah Umno, said the chapter’s Youth wing.

State Umno Youth chief Abdul Aziz Julkarnain said none of the chapter’s 25 divisions will close down, adding that structurally, the party remains intact.

“The talk (about leaving) will only see elected reps and division heads quitting the party.

“There will still be members. The present deputy chiefs will take over as acting division chiefs. All the divisions will remain intact,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

Sabah Umno liaison chief Hajiji Mohd Noor is expected to announce the departure of nine assemblymen, four MPs and 15 division heads tomorrow afternoon.

Today, he is chairing a discussion with division leaders on the matter.

Hajiji, who is also Sultan assemblyman, is one of those expected to quit Umno.

Sabah Umno Youth has said it is not keen to leave the party, which became the opposition in the state following the 14th general election. – December 11, 2018.