Kuala lumpur: After more than three decades in Sabah, UMNO should no longer be regarded as an ‘outside party’ or a ‘Malayan party’ but as an integral part of the state’s political scene landscape, said Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the UMNO Supreme Council member emphasized that it was inaccurate to suggest that Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Harapan (PH) were made up solely of Malayan parties, as both coalitions also included Sabah-based components. Ahmad Maslan highlighted that within BN, there is Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS), a local party, while PH also includes the United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (UPKO), another local party.

He addressed the misconception after officiating the 37th Selayang UMNO Division Wanita Delegates’ Meeting 2025 at the Event Space, Jalan Melati, Kuang Sungai Buloh. Ahmad, who also serves as the UMNO War Room Secretariat chief, discussed his responsibility for mobilizing the party’s war room in Sabah. He collaborates with Sabah UMNO Liaison secretary Datuk Jafry Ariffin to ensure the election machinery is more organized and effective ahead of the state polls.

The war room, according to Ahmad, serves not only to collect data but also to unite all party wings and machinery, including Women, Youth, Puteri, and the information team, to enhance grassroots operations. Ahmad expressed confidence that with this approach, UMNO, which previously won 14 seats, could increase its number of seats and achieve success in the upcoming state election.