Sukau assemblyman Saddi quits Umno to go independent
KOTA KINABALU: Sukau assemblyman Datuk Saddi Abdul Rahman has quit Umno Sabah, making him the sixth Umno Sabah state elected representative to do so after the 14th general election.
Those who left Umno Sabah earlier were Datuk Hamisa Samat (Tanjung Batu), Datuk Abdul Muis Picho (Sebatik), Datuk James Ratib (Sugut), Datuk Bolkiah Ismail (Pitas) and Jemawi Jaafar (Kemabong).
Saddi said for now he would take on the role of an independent opposition member of the State Assembly.
"I will not be joining any party for now and will make a decision on my future political endeavour in a couple of months. It was not an easy decision to make and this is one that I have to take with a heavy heart," Saddi told reporters here yesterday.
Saddi added that he had spoken to the grassroots in his constituency and most agreed that there should be a political transformation there and also in the state.
He pointed out that Umno's loss in the 14th general election in Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah showed that the rakyat wanted change and Sabahans are now in favour of local-based political parties which they feel are in a better position to fight for their rights.
To him, Umno will face an uphill task in making a comeback in Sabah as the rakyat support is thrown behind local parties that can champion their rights and welfare as well as issues such as MA63 and the 20 per cent oil royalty.
"The rakyat in Sabah now prefer local-based parties. So I am keeping my options open but will consider joining a localbased party, either existing or new," he said, adding that he would support any local political party that could champion the rights of Sabah and Sabahans like the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and 20 per cent oil royalty to be paid to the state government.
The three-term Sukau assemblyman thanked former Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak and former Umno Sabah liaison chairman Tan Sri Musa Aman for giving him the opportunity to serve the rakyat in his constituency.
"For the constituents in Sukau who voted for me in the 14th general election, let's work together to get justice from the current government," said Saddi.
To a question if there would be more Umno Sabah elected representatives making a similar move as his, Saddi said those who had posts in the party might not but those who were just ordinary members like him might leave.
He is also of the opinion that the Warisan Sabah-led state government would not leave Sukau out in terms of development.