SANDAKAN, Aug 7 — UMNO President Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has dismissed rumours that the party’s central leadership intends to replace the top leadership of UMNO Sabah, labelling the speculation as an attempt to divide the party.

Zahid stressed that there had never been any intention to remove any of Sabah’s current UMNO leaders and attributed the circulating rumours to irresponsible parties seeking to weaken the party’s unity ahead of the 17th Sabah State Election (PRN).

“I never intended to change anyone. Why? Are you suggesting someone should be replaced? You should ask where this rumour came from. There are those trying to divide us because we are currently strong and united. We’ve resolved all minor internal issues,” he said.

Zahid made the remarks after officiating the Kinabatangan UMNO Division Delegates Meeting last night, which was also attended by Sabah UMNO Chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin and other UMNO-Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders from across the country.

He also announced that Barisan Nasional had finalized the seat distribution and the form of cooperation with Pakatan Harapan for the upcoming Sabah state polls.

However, he emphasized that any negotiations between Pakatan Harapan and other parties are outside the scope and responsibility of Barisan Nasional.

— Agency