Kedah Umno too weak to see more defections, say sources

ALOR STAR: Kedah Umno is not expected to witness any defection of members, given that the party is in a weakened state, with only two assemblymen and two members of parliament.

Party sources told the New Straits Times Press that any move to leave the party, such as the one by Guar Chempedak assemblyman Datuk Dr Ku Abdul Rahman Ku Ismail, would be based on individual decisions and not orchestrated by a movement like what happened in Sabah.

“There will be no such movements given that there aren’t many Barisan Nasional assemblymen in the state. Umno is weak in Kedah, so it’s unlikely there will be a similar scenario here.

“Any move to leave the party will be a personal decision, and not orchestrated by others,” said the source.

Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said he was unaware of any defections from Umno members in the state.

He believed that Umno still played a key role in Kedah despite having only four representatives, as its strength laid within its rank and file.

Sungai Tiang assemblyman Datuk Suraya Yaacob gave her assurance that she would remain with Umno. Bandar Baharu assemblyman Datuk Norsabrina Mohd Noor, however, gave no such assurance.

Ku Abd Rahman said his decision to leave was the right one.

The events in Sabah, he said, showed that there was something not right within Umno.