Bung replaces Hajiji Mohd Noor, who also quit the party together with dozens of others, including assemblymen, MPs and senators, declaring themselves as independents.

Umno secretary-general Annuar Musa also announced Yaakob Khan as the state’s deputy chief and Jefri Arifin as the secretary.

Tenom division chief Raime Unggi was named Sabah Umno information chief, taking over from former Dewan Rakyat Speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia, who also quit the party.

He said Umno vice-presidents Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Mahdzir Khalid will announce the new leadership tomorrow.

Bung is the Kinabatangan MP and among the more vocal Umno parliamentarians.

In August, he shocked the Dewan Rakyat when he used expletives at Puncak Borneo MP Willie Mongin during a debate on the sales and services tax.

The exodus from Umno today involved four MPs, nine assemblymen, two senators and 21 division heads.