UMNO members here have been urged to consolidate in order to safeguard the party's domination in the government and in the country's political arena.

Sabah UMNO Liaison deputy chairman Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak, who is also Communications and Multimedia Minister, said members' allegiance was crucial for the party to sustain and remain relevant.

"Members' loyalty to the party is tested not when times are good but when it is the reverse. It is during the reverse that we will know who they really are. Those who are not loyal have no place in UMNO," he said.

He said this at the opening of the UMNO delegates' meeting by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, at Kota Belud Community Centre here today.

Also present was Sabah UMNO Liaison secretary Datuk Seri Yahya Hussin, who is also Sabah Deputy Chief Minister.

Kota Belud MP Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan, who is also Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister, could not be present as he had been invited to open the Titiwangsa UMNO delegates meeting.

Salleh, who is also Kota Belud UMNO chief also reminded members that their priority should be the party's interest.

"The party comes first, not any individual who becomes a 'torn in the flesh' to promote his own interest rather than the party's or his race," he stressed.

He also expressed the division's support for Prime Minister and UMNO president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, Ahmad Zahid who is also Deputy Prime Minister, and Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman who is also Sabah UMNO Liaison chairman.

Salleh hoped Kota Belud, where Sabah UMNO was born in 1991 would continue to be Barisan Nasional's fortress.

Meanwhile, delegates at the meeting approved a motion moved by the division's deputy chief Datuk Japlin Akin, supporting the leadership of Najib, Ahmad Zahid and Musa.

A motion moved by the Wanita wing for an oil and gas terminal project to be implemented in Kota Belud was also approved by the delegates aside from its request for more business avenues for women in the handicraft industry.

A proposal by the division's Youth chief for a higher learning institution to be built in the district was also included in the motion.