Sukau rep: Reps who left Umno may have their own reasons for doing so
KOTA KINABALU: Umno elected representatives who left the party after 14th General Election (GE14) have their own reasons for doing so, and this should not be seen as betrayal to the party.
Sukau assemblyman Datuk Saddi Abdul Rahman, a former Sabah Umno leader, said people might not be aware of the real reason that leaders like him left.
He said while Umno had the right to seek legal redress against former members and leaders if they had grounds for it, the leaders also had the right to defend themselves over their actions.
“It is the party’s right if it thinks there is a locus standi.
“However, I have my reasons... Not all of those who left the party did so to betray it. There might have been other reasons.
“Their decision (to leave the party) may have been due to the lack of cooperation in the party, including at the division-level.
“When there is no cooperation from the division leadership, we end up becoming like an opposition in our own par- ty.” Saddi announced his departure from Umno and Barisan Nasional on Aug 1 and became an independent in the state legislative assembly.
In GE14, Saddi defended his seat under the BN ticket with a 1,628-vote majority over three other candidates.
He said he had yet to receive any writ of summons from Umno headquarters.
Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi told the party’s general assembly last weekend that legal action would be taken against Umno members of parliament and assemblymen who jumped ship to become independent representatives.
Zahid asked these former Umno leaders to pay back costs incurred during the last election and vacate their seats won under Umno and BN tickets.
Pursuant to that, the party confirmed that its headquarters served writ of summons to three of former leaders — Bukit Gantang MP Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal; Bagan Serai MP Datuk Dr Noor Azmi Ghazali and Masjid Tanah MP Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin.
Kemabong assemblyman Jamawi Jaafar, who left the party in May, said he did not receive any writ of summons from Umno.
Jamawi is one of seven BN assemblymen from Sabah who left the coalition after GE14.
The others were Saddi, Datuk Abdul Muis Pichu (Sebatik); Datuk Hamisah Samat (Tanjong Batu) and Osman Jamal (Balung) from Umno and two United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation assemblymen — Ewon Benedick (Kedamaian) and Datuk Abidin Madingkir (Paginatan).