SABAH A NEW CLOUT IN SHAPING THE FUTURE DIRECTION OF UMNO AND BN.

Kota Kinabalu: Datuk Masidi Manjun, who is also Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister and State Umno Liaison Committee assistant secretary, said Sabah Umno candidates' 100 per cent victory in the party elections at the just-concluded Umno general assembly had made Sabah a new clout in shaping the future direction of Umno and BN.

Masidi said Umno was now going into a new chapter to stay relevant in a new political landscape that has drastically changed over the last two years.

He pointed out that a new leadership was elected within this new political scenario and the fact that so many new faces won and many veterans lost was a clear signal from members for the party to tackle these multiple challenges with a sense of urgency.

He added that many new Supreme Council members had no political baggage and government posts which would impede drastic changes in the party and government and transform Umno once again into the party of choice for all Bumiputeras.

Masidi also said Umno members had a good reason to be optimistic about the future of the party although the new leadership had inherited a party with diminished strength.

"With a strong will to change for the better, the new leadership would be motivated to rebuild the party to regain its former glory.

"New Umno President Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and his team is capable of working hard and making difficult but right decision to succeed," Masidi said, adding it's their only choice if Umno wanted to stay relevant.