Dahlan Steps Down, Stays on UMNO Council

Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan, former Kota Belud MP and ex‑federal minister, announced he will relinquish the UMNO Tuaran division chief post from 1 April. He clarified the decision is not driven by any internal rift in UMNO Sabah, but by a desire to let fresh faces emerge. Despite stepping aside locally, Dahlan will retain his seat on the party’s Supreme Council, keeping his influence at the national level. The move signals a calculated reshuffle rather than a retreat, aiming to rejuvenate the party’s grassroots while preserving senior leadership continuity.

His exit opens the Tuaran chair for new leadership, potentially reshaping UMNO’s grassroots strategy in Sabah while his Supreme Council role ensures continuity of senior guidance.

The handover could refresh UMNO’s local image ahead of upcoming state elections, giving younger cadres a platform to prove themselves. At the same time, Dahlan’s continued presence on the Supreme Council means the party still benefits from his experience, balancing renewal with stability across Sabah’s political landscape.