KOTA KINABALU: The political ties between Umno and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia are not affected despite the controversial statement of an MP who said that Sabah Umno is now "irrelevant", says Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob (pic).

The Umno vice-president said the statement from Bersatu Mersing MP Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad was merely his opinion and did not represent his party.

“Besides, he has openly apologised, I hope Sabah Umno will take his statement as a challenge to be better and to emerge stronger, just like what has been proven in the Kimanis by-election where Umno won big,” he said during a work visit here on Friday (July 10) night.

He said the focus for Umno now is to move forward and prepare for GE15 and win back all its lost seats.

“Yes the response from Sabah Umno (anger) is expected, we in Peninsular Malaysia would have reacted the same way if we were thrown the same statement,” said Ismail Sabri who is Defence Minister.

He said it would be weird if Sabah Umno chief Datuk Bung Moktar Radin had remained silent.

Bung had said that Umno and Bersatu should be working together and such a remark was uncalled for.

As for seat allocations and how they plan to share them with other Perikatan Nasional and Muafakat Nasional members, Ismail Sabri said these are the issues that need to be addressed and discussed further.

“We’ll wait after discussions and decisions before commenting on this matter,” he said.

Asked whether Umno has accepted Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak’s application to rejoin the party, he said the decision has yet to be made and it will be up to the supreme council to decide.

“Anyone who is Malay and bumiputra can join Umno, but there are some terms and conditions for those who have quit the party and wish to rejoin,” he said.

On talk that Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is returning to Umno and becoming the president, Ismail Sabri said the same procedures in reapplying, applies.

“We’ll wait for his application if he wants to, it depends on his heart whether he wants to come back or not,” he said.

Asked whether he supports Muhyiddin if he returns and becomes Umno president, Ismail Sabri said: "wait for him to apply first".

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/07/10/mersing-mp039s-statement-does-not-represent-bersatu-umno-ties-with-party-unaffected-says-ismail-sabri