Probe on ‘illegal became Umno branch chief’ claim

LAHAD DATU: Umno Silam Division chief Datuk Mohd Yusof Apdal has formed a special committee to investigate claim that an illegal immigrant has gained Bumiputera Sabah status and served as an Umno branch chief in the area.

Yusof said that if the allegation is true, he would meet with the individual for further action in accordance with the provisions of the existing constitution of the party.

“Up to 5pm on Friday, the committee had yet to find any Umno branch chief position held by an illegal immigrant. I am taking this allegation seriously for further action,” he said when contacted yesterday.

According to Yusof, the Umno membership legalization movement had long been mobilized and strengthened through efforts of going to the ground at each branch.

He said the District Voting Centre had also been given the mandate to achieve this goal because there are members who were not known before.

“The unknown members have been removed from the list of branches and so far there is no complaint against strangers in the list of members,” he said i n response to t he allegation of a Felda officer who claimed the existence of an illegal immigrant as Umno branch chief, which was also commented on by State Umno Liaison Deputy Chairman, Datuk Seri Panglima Salleh Tun Said Keruak said.

In his statement, Salleh said that the State Umno will not protect any member or Umno leaders who proved to have the status of illegal immigrants.

He also suggested that the parties come forward to report speci f ica l ly the names of the individuals for t he pa r ty’s reference and inquiry.