UMNO vice-president Ismail Sabri Yaakob said today that Rural Development Minister Dr Abd Latiff Ahmad’s negative opinion of Sabah Umno was his own and did not reflect the stand of Bersatu.

Ismail said Bersatu leaders, including those in Sabah had never condemned Umno.

“The statement was made by an individual, one of the Bersatu leaders, and did not come from the Bersatu leadership.

“Even in Sabah we did not hear any Sabah Bersatu leaders condemning us or welcoming Datuk Latiff’s statement,” Ismail told a press conference today.

Latiff was reported to have said at a public forum that Sabah Umno was no longer relevant. 

He has since apologised and said that his statement had been misinterpreted by certain quarters.

Ismail, who is defence minister, said Sabah Umno remained strong, as evident from its victory in the Kimanis by-election early this year.

He said Sabah Umno would take Latiff’s comment as a challenge to work harder and do even better in the next general election.

Latiff’s statement would not affect Umno and Bersatu’s partnership in Perikatan Nasional (PN), he added.

Meanwhile, Sabah Umno chief Bung Moktar Radin said he was disappointed that a minister had showed such disrespect for a friend. – Bernama, July 10, 2020.