Tawau Umno: We have not closed shop

KOTA KINABALU: A state Umno youth leader has denied that the party’s Tawau division had been dissolved amid claims that former members are distributing Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia membership forms.

Sabah Umno youth vice-chief Ghazalie Ansing said Tawau Umno was, in fact, being restructured after its division chief left the party early this month.

He said they received reports that many Umno members had been registered with Bersatu without their knowledge.

“This is a trick to entice Bersatu to spread its wings to Sabah.

“Another trick is claiming that it is only a matter of time that Umno is deregistered.

“Don’t listen to them (former Umno members),” Ghazalie said, adding that the former leaders were struggling to get more members to be used as their bargaining card to bring in Bersatu.

Ghazalie who is Tawau Umno youth chief said Sabah Umno was now rejuvenating.

“Our former leaders have used the party to enrich themselves and left the party when it is no longer in government.

“Umno will grow stronger now without them,” he said.

Nine assemblymen, five MPs and two senators had left Sabah Umno to become independents and brought along with them 21 out of 25 division chiefs.

They are trying to bring Bersatu to Sabah through en masse defections, an attempt which is being objected by Parti Warisan Sabah.

Other Pakatan Harapan partners – PKR and DAP – are also concerned about Bersatu taking in the defectors.