Speaking to reporters after a closed-door meeting here today, he said he had officially received a memorandum from Sabah Umno seeking autonomy to govern itself in Sabah.

“I will make an important announcement for Sabah Umno in my policy speech on Sept 29 (during Umno’s general assembly).

“We want the request by Sabah Umno endorsed by the Supreme Council.

“We have to formalise this by holding an extraordinary general meeting to include these changes in the amendment of the party constitution,” he said.

This means Sabah Umno will be free to join pacts such as Gabungan Bersatu Sabah, which also consists of PBS and Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR).

Zahid said the party will include all the demands in Umno’s constitution.

Sabah Umno chief Hajiji Md Noor presented the memorandum to Zahid today, witnessed by a host of senior Sabah and central Umno members.