REMBAU: Sabah Umno will be empowered to ensure that the party continues to be relevant and to regain the trust of the people.
Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan or Tok Mat, said the move is necessary to ensure that the party’s influence remained stable in the state.
According to him, it is not an easy task to establish Umno as a dominant party in Sabah, similar to how it was for the previous government as it requires the party to strengthen its influence as an opposition bloc.
“In the long run, Umno in Sabah needs to be strengthened by empowering its own administration because it is more in line with the locals’ sentiments who don’t favour ’peninsular’ intervention. With that, I would like to wish all the best to Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia’s (Bersatu) entry to the state,” he said in a press conference at Barisan Nasional's (BN) command centre, here, today.
Bersatu chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had recently announced that the party would set up a branch in Sabah explaining that the party wished to enhance ties with those in the state who have left Umno but were reluctant to join Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) allies there.
Mohamad, who is also the BN candidate for the Rantau state seat by-election said Umno would also amend several constitutional matters to strengthen the party and regain confidence among its members and the people.
He said a discussion would be held with the party’s committee members to amend Umno’s constitution.
“The constitution needs to be revised to suit current needs as it prepares for the 15th General Election,” he said.