SABAH Umno will remain in Sabah and be given autonomy to chart its own course n the state, said the party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, today.

“I have officially received the Sabah Umno memorandum requesting for autonomy today.

“I will make the announcement on September 29 during my presidential address as we wish to have the Supreme Council endorse it,” he said, after attending a closed-door meeting cum luncheon with Sabah Umno leaders in Kota Kinabalu.

Sabah Umno liaison chief Hajiji Hj Noor, his deputy Salleh Said Keruak, secretary Masidi Manjun, were among those present.

Zahid said the decision to grant Sabah Umno autonomy would be formalised in an extraordinary general meeting, and the party constitution amended to accommodate the change.

“We will include all the demands in the new constitution and deliberate further on the matter so it will have legality when it is included in the Umno constitution,” he said.

Zahid said autonomy meant Sabah Umno was free to decide to join coalitions such as Gabungan Bersatu Sabah (GBS).

It will also anchor Umno to the state and end speculation that the state branch would dissolve in favour of forming a new party of joining another one.

Sabah Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) failed to retain power in Sabah in the general election, May 9, after losing an early majority.

Several United Pasok Momogun KadazanDusun Murut Organisation and Umno elected reps had defected to afford rival Parti Warisan Sabah-Pakatan Harapan a simply majority in the state assembly.

Umno has sealed a pact with Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku and Parti Bersatu Sabah to form GBS to replace BN in Sabah. –  September 25, 2018