KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Umno will only collaborate with parties that respect mutual agreements, said its chairman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin.
The Lamag assemblyman said the previous collaborations with other parties had taught Sabah Umno the importance of mature cooperation in the state.
"We will collaborate with political parties that respect mutual agreements and bring benefits to Umno and Sabah.
"We will also look for partners who exhibit loyalty and sincerity in fulfilling their responsibilities as allies in working towards the betterment of the fate of Sabah's people...we no longer want internal crises that hinder Sabah's development efforts," he said in a statement.
Yesterday, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, who is also Gabungan Rakyat Sabah coalition chairman, had said that he would use the "unity government" formula in deciding the seat allocation in the state elections.
Hajiji had also said the formula would also include to peninsula-Malaysia based parties including Pakatan Harapan and BN.
In the 2020 state election, GRS and BN joined forces to topple the then Parti Warisan led government.
However, during the Kinabalu Move early this year, Umno followed Warisan's move to question legitimacy of Hajiji as Chief Minister.
At present, GRS, BN and Warisan are supporting the unity government at the federal level.
The Sabah Barisan Nasional chief also said although it is still very early to consider alliance with others, the coalition would look into partnership that could ensure victory for them.
He said for now, Sabah Umno was strengthening the party machinery by gathering information that would be useful in formulating new strategies for the upcoming elections.
Meanwhile, regarding the call for Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to resign following Umno's performance in the recent elections in six states, Bung said that all party leadership should instead share the responsibility.
As the party supreme council member, he said Umno has a four-year period to rectify the party's structure and return to its fundamental principles to strengthen the party's foundation.
"I am confident that within four years, Umno will rise again in the upcoming general elections...what's important is that Umno aspires to change, including our power structure, including the roles of Youth, Women, and Puteri that need to be strengthened.
"Let's not become those who damage our own home... This is not good... enough of Umno leaders coming out and creating discord within Umno and trying to destroy it."