United Sabah National Organization

The United Sabah National Organization (USNO) was a political party in the Malaysian state of Sabah . The party was founded by Tun Mustapha , the third Prime Minister of Sabah . The party formed the state government after its victory in the Sabah elections in 1967. USNO ruled under the leadership of Tun Mustapha until 1975 and then until 1976 under the leadership of Mohamad Said Keruak .

Before Malaysia was founded on September 16, 1963, the USNO, together with the UPKO (United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Organization) led by Tun Fuad Stephens , played a central role in the negotiations for independence from the British colonial government.

In 1975 Harris Salleh , the Secretary General of the USNO, left the party and founded the BERJAYA party together with the UPKO . The new party beat USNO in the 1976 elections in Sabah and was the state government until 1985. In the 1981, 1985, 1986 and 1990 elections, USNO managed to win some seats in the Sabah Legislative Assembly, but never enough to be able to form a government again.

In 1990 USNO allied itself with Harris' BERJAYA and from then on formed the branch of the United Malays National Organization (UMNO) in Sabah. Tun Mustapha became the first President of the Sabah UMNO .