MALACCA: Umno members should learn from what had happened to the United Sabah National Organisation (USNO) political party which once governed Sabah.
Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman said the party eventually lost its power after being defeated in the state election due to the internal bickering among its Malay leaders.
He said USNO leaders only had to blame themselves for the power loss because they are not united.
"Therefore I would like to remind Umno members not to fight among ourselves.
"Infighting among us would only weaken us further by the time of the next general election" he said when opening the Tangga Batu Umno division meeting here on Monday night.
Present was Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron who is the Tangga Batu Umno division chief.
Musa said in a big party like Umno it was normal to have many challenges and issues among the members.
He said it is more important that members strengthen their relationships and support the leaders unconditionally in facing and addressing the many challenges and issues affecting the party.
"Please remember if we fight each other, we will get weaker and looked down by others.
"On the other hand if we are united we will become stronger and respected by others," he added.
USNO came into power in Sabah after winning the state election in 1967.
It was defeated in the 1976 state election by a new party Berjaya which was formed by its former secretary-general Datuk Harris Salleh.
USNO never get to form a state government again in Sabah and was de-registered in 1994.
It was registered as a new organization last April in an attempt to revive the defunct party.