UMNO president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi assured Sabah Umno today that the state chapter will be granted autonomy at the party’s general assembly on November 13. 

He said Umno will amend the party constitution to enable the Sabah chapter to become autonomous, the status of which would be officially declared at the gathering.

“We are serious about giving the state chapter autonomy,” he said. 

Zahid said due to the special circumstances of its earning the distinction, the Sabah chapter was chosen to host the first convention.

Autonomy for Sabah Umno is among the initiatives Umno is undertaking to strengthen the party and win over voters in the state. 

Zahid said autonomy would empower the party’s Sabah leaders to decide on party affairs, including forming alliances with other parties of their choice and choosing their election candidates. 

Zahid said the Sabah Umno leaders would at the same time remain loyal to Umno and work on the “new deal” to win back Sabah in the next elections.

The new deal includes implementing the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and restoring the state’s rights and revenue, he said.  – September 21, 2019.