KOTA KINABALU: Several UMNO stalwarts and leaders left the party today to chart their own political future.
This include six Members of Parliament, nine State Assemblymen, two senators and 21 Division Chiefs.
Former UMNO Sabah Chairman Datuk Hajiji Mohd Noor, in a press conference today said that they left due to the current leadership’s lack of clear political direction.
He said there are conflicting accounts of the ‘way forward’, depending on who they talk to at the top leadership.
“We are not sure where UMNO is heading to,” he said adding that they will start by disassociating themselves with UMNO so that they are free to consider all available options to chart their future in the new Malaysia.
He said the decision to resign as members of UMNO effective today was made after many discussions among them.
“We are now party-less and will remain as independents until such time when we decide to join the party of our choice,” he said.
“All UMNO Sabah leaders and elected representatives who are leaving the party today have pledged full support to the Pakatan Harapan Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. In fact all Malaysians should support Tun in his endeavor to make this country great again. Consistent with the above,we would like to also register our pledge to support Datuk Seri Shafie and the state government of Sabah.”
“We will work hard to serve the people of Sabah and assist the Federal Government in bringing more development to Sabah which the State sorely needs,” he said adding that the nation is facing huge economic challenges and Malaysians should unite to overcome them.
“This is not the time for political bickering and quarrels that will only complicate government’s effort to overcome these challenges,” he opined.
Those who left UMNO are as follows, Members of Parliament Datuk Azizah Mohd Dun, Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee, Datuk Rahim Bakri, Datuk Zakaria Idris, Hafez Yamani Musa and Arthur J Kurup (left BN). The nine State Assemblymen who left are Datuk Hajiji Mohd Noor, Datuk Masidi Manjun, Datuk Japlin Akim, Datuk Musbah Jameh, Datuk Gullam Haidar Khan, Datuk Arifin Arif, Datuk Isnin Aliasnih, Matbali Hj Musah and Datuk Nizam Titingan.-pr/BNN
