KOTA KINABALU (Dec 12): The Sabah UMNO Youth movement has expressed its stand to remain with UMNO's struggle and was determined to be the last bastion of the party.

Sabah UMNO Youth chief Ir Abdul Aziz Julkarnain said although some UMNO members had decided to leave the party, UMNO Youth would remain together and continue to pursue the party's struggle in the state.

"We are also ready to fill the space left by those who abandoned the struggle and trust given," he said in a statement here today.

Abdul Aziz said UMNO Youth should be steadfast with the party's struggle and would not budge because UMNO is still loved by the majority of the people in Sabah.

Meanwhile, State UMNO Puteri chief Fadilah Sarbi said the movement had yet to decide whether to follow in the footsteps of the State UMNO leadership that announced leaving the party today.
 
She said for now the movement took the decision to keep calm with the latest developments.

"In this case, it is up to the movement heads to determine their direction and stand. The UMNO Puteri divisions will hold discussions including with members and get feedback before making a decision, "she said.

Earlier, former Sabah UMNO Liaison Committee chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor and Members of Parliament, Assemblymen, Senators and several Youth leaders from UMNO announced leaving the party effective today.

Those who are now independent members had expressed their support for the Pakatan Harapan government and the state leadership headed by Warisan Party chief Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.