He said strategy, cooperation, and a clear direction are the way forward for the party, especially in Sabah.

It is no longer sufficient for Umno to rely on its past achievements. The party must move forward with decisions based on today’s political reality.

“What matters now is strategy, cooperation, and clear direction. This is even more important in Sabah,” he said in a Facebook post tonight in response to a warning by Umno vice-president Johari Ghani that the party should not cling to nostalgia and accept that they are no longer the dominant political force it once was.

Salleh said Umno had expanded into Sabah at the invitation of the late Mustapha Harun, the then president of United Sabah National Organisation (Usno), to unite a divided Bumiputera Muslim community.

While the said objective had been achieved for a long period, the situation has since changed, he said. Support is now split among several parties, including Umno, Warisan, and Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah.

Umno must therefore review its role and focus on cooperation to avoid further division of support. “If these parties continue to compete, votes will split and everyone will lose. Cooperation and careful planning are needed,” he said.

“Umno’s future depends on its ability to change. By accepting reality and adjusting its strategy, the party can remain relevant.”

Yesterday, Salleh said the party’s success at the polls hinges on the right strategy and partnership, in noting that cooperation with other parties is a political reality. Umno must work with partners who share common goals to avoid vote-splitting and maximise winning chances.