The United Sabah National Organisation (; abbrev: USNO) was a political party in North Borneo and later Sabah, Malaysia. The widely known Sabah's Muslim indigenous especially Suluk-Bajau ethnic based party was founded by the third Chief Minister of Sabah; Mustapha Harun in December 1961.

Prior to the formation of Malaysia on 16 September 1963, USNO played a major role in cooperation with United Pasokmomogun Kadazan Organisation (UPKO), led by Donald Stephens, and the Federation of Malaya, in attaining independence from the British. UPKO was then dissolved and merged into USNO in 1967.

The party came into power after winning the 1967 state election. USNO remained in power until 1975 under Mustapha's leadership, and until 1976 under Mohammad Said Keruak's leadership.

In 1975, USNO's secretary-general Harris Salleh quit the party and teamed up with former UPKO leader Stephens who had become Sabah Governor and had returned to politics to create a new party called Sabah People's United Front (BERJAYA). This new party defeated USNO in the 1976 state election to form government until 1985. USNO consistently continued to participate in state elections of 1981, 1985, 1986, and 1990, winning several state electorates, however never enough to form government again.James Chin, pp. 22-25

After the 1990 state election when BERJAYA themselves were ousted by United Sabah Party (PBS), Mustapha returned to team-up with Harris again in a merger of USNO and BERJAYA for his long-envisaged initiative to create the Sabah chapter of peninsula-based United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) with Mustapha himself became its first chief of UMNO Sabah. In 1993, USNO was finally de-registered by the federal Registrar of Societies (RoS). Six of its legislators joined the Sabah UMNO while the rest joined the opposition PBS.James Chin, 31

Government offices

State governments As a deregistered party after 1993, remaining USNO members who regretted the merger with UMNO supported PBS government and contested 1994 election under PBS logo Sabah (1963–1967, 1967–1976, 1993–1994)

Note: bold as Chief Minister, italic as junior partner

General election results

Election Total seats wonSeats contested Total votes Share of votes Outcome of election Election leader196413appointed by Legislative Assembly6 seats; Governing coalition Mustapha Harun1969 15 31,947 1.33% 7 seats; Governing coalition Mustapha Harun1974 15 ; Governing coalition Mustapha Harun1978 15 8 seats; Governing coalition Mustapha Harun1982 19 5 seats; No representation in Parliament Mustapha Harun1986 15 27,409 0.58% 5 seats; Governing coalition Mustapha Harun1990 15 1 seats; Governing coalition Mustapha Harun1995 15 8 seats; Governing coalition Mustapha Harun

State election results State electionState Legislative AssemblySabahTotal won / Total contested2/3 majority19671971Entirely won on walkover, no vote was conducted.19761981198519861990

See also Politics of Malaysia List of political parties in Malaysia United Sabah National Organisation (New) (USNO Baru)

References

Further reading