Sabah Umno: 'Good luck' to former Sarawak comrades, but we will remain loyal

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Umno sent their best wishes to former Sarawak Barisan Nasional parties which have left the coalition, but insisted they themselves will remain loyal.

"Good luck in your future endeavours Sarawak, but Sabah Umno will stay firm with the party," said Sabah Umno acting chief Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak (pic).

Salleh said they respected the four former BN component parties in Sarawak for their decision to leave BN, but it will not be the same for Sabah.

“In Sabah, our Umno members are still strong and choose to remain loyal to Barisan,” he said in a statement on Wednesday (June 13).

He said the members have worked hard to help their candidates win in GE14 and therefore will not leave Umno or BN just because of the new political challenges.

“Just because Barisan failed to form the government this time, it doesn’t mean that’s the end,” Salleh said.

He said differences in political agenda and opinions were not a crime and should not create enemies.

“We are matured politicians and should think of what’s best for the people and the country instead,” he said.

Salleh said Umno members should continue staying strong and work towards making Barisan an alternative choice for the people as they prepare for the next general elections five years from now.

He advised members to refrain from taking drastic and hasty actions that could bring more loss than benefit for them.

“Our focus now is for the coming party elections come June 30,” Salleh added.