Confusion over Usno Baru, ROS steps in

PUTATAN: Newly-registered Usno Baru or United Sabah National Organisation hit a snag when its new line-up was met with counter-claims from the party’s former protem members who claimed that they were the still members of its supreme council.

These former protem members had apparently informed the Registrar of Societies (ROS) leading to confusion.

Party insiders claimed that the ROS had warned Usno Baru officials to sort these claims immediately.

When contacted Usno Baru president  Dulli Tiaseh confirmed ROS had been in touch with him and that he had explained the matter.

“I am now awaiting ROS response. I called ROS in Kuala Lumpur on Nov 16 and stated that the correct and legal list of party supreme council is the one that the president had recently sent.

“The old list is not applicable,” said  Dulli.

Usno Baru was among the 11 new political parties from Sabah that were approved by ROS recently.

Dulli, 57, said he would issue a statement once the party receives ROS’ letter confirming the new list of supreme council of the party.

The party had taken its name from one of the oldest Sabah parties, Usno, which was disbanded years ago to pave way for Umno to set foot in Sabah, taking in almost all Usno members into Umno’s fold.

Usno Baru’s symbol of the famous Mount Kinabalu in its green and red colours scheme also has a close resemblance to the old Usno symbol.

Sabah Umno liaison committee deputy head, Salleh Said Keruak, however had dismissed the party as irrelevant saying “Umno was not worried about or concerned over the registration of Usno Baru”.

“Sabah Umno is solid and gained landslide support from the people, winning almost all allocated state seats (for Umno), except Klias, in the recent general election,” Salleh had said.

Dulli had meanwhile stated Usno Baru, for the time being, would not align itself either with the ruling Barisan Nasional or the main opposition coalition of Pakatan Rakyat.