New Straits Times

SYED ALI STILL UNDECIDED ON POLITICAL FUTURE

I have yet to apply to join other parties, says ex-Umno division chief

- NADIA HAMID AND SITI NUR ZAWANI MISCON cnews@nstp.com.my

FORMER Cheras Umno division chief, Datuk Seri Syed Ali Al-Habshee, is still considerin­g the direction of his political career after resigning from the party 1½ months ago.

The former Federal Territorit­ies Umno secretary said he had yet to apply to join any other political party, including Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu).

“I have yet to apply to join any party. I have not thought about joining any party.

“I would not want anything of that sort to happen,” said Syed Ali, while explaining that he did not want his applicatio­n to any other party to be rejected.

He was speaking after the presentati­on of certificat­es under the Cheras parliament­ary constituen­cy-level Community Developmen­t Department (Kemas) kindergate­ns, which was launched by Rural and Regional Developmen­t Minister Datuk Seri Rina Harun yesterday.

Asked if he had been offered to join any political party, Syed Ali said he had not received any offers so far.

“Many people want to ( join Pakatan Harapan). Let them be.

“I used to be a vocal leader in Umno, so maybe some people will not be comfortabl­e with me.

“Let us wait and see which (party) will accept me.

“If they do not want (to accept me), I will focus on doing charity work.

“Whoever wishes to speak to me (on offers), I will consider it. For now, I will do my work,” he said.

When asked about his apparent closeness with Rina, who is Srikandi Bersatu or women’s wing chief, Syed Ali said: “That’s just something normal as I am close with everyone. I work for the people.”

He said he would not be upset not being a member of any party.

He said he wanted to take a break, while concentrat­ing on his work in the Cheras Education Foundation where he is chairman.

Syed Ali made headlines when he announced his decision to quit Umno during a closed-door meeting of the Cheras Umno division committee on Sept 24.

He had said the decision, which came after he had served the party for more than 40 years, was made to preserve the continuity and interests of the Malays in the Federal Territory.

 ??  ?? Rural and Regional Developmen­t Minister Datuk Seri Rina Harun (back row, fourth from left) with former Cheras Umno division chief, Datuk Seri Syed Ali Al-Habshee (back row, fifth from left), after presenting certificat­es to Kemas kindergate­ns in Cheras yesterday.
Rural and Regional Developmen­t Minister Datuk Seri Rina Harun (back row, fourth from left) with former Cheras Umno division chief, Datuk Seri Syed Ali Al-Habshee (back row, fifth from left), after presenting certificat­es to Kemas kindergate­ns in Cheras yesterday.

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