Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal has denied rumours that he is setting up a new political party.

Instead the former UMNO vice-president said, he went to the Registrar of Societies (RoS) in Putrajaya today to take over an existing party in Sabah and have its name and logo changed.

He however declined to reveal the name of the party and only said it was based in Sabah and has been active since its establishment in 2013.

On July 4, the Semporna MP announced his decision to quit UMNO after his membership was suspended by the party’s Disciplinary Committee on June 24.

His announcement came just days after the UMNO Supreme Council sacked then deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and former Kedah menteri besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir.

Three days later, Semporna UMNO Division vice-chief Datuk Dr Jaujan Sambakong, leaders of three wings and 300 branch chiefs also quit the part in protest of Mohd Shafie’s suspension.