Umno top brass gives Lokman the boot
Lokman Adam, one of Najib Abdul Razak's most fervent supporters, was sacked from Umno by the party's supreme council today.
This was confirmed by two participants of the supreme council meeting. The meeting was held this afternoon at Menara Dato Onn in the capital.
Lokman Adam, one of former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak's most fervent supporters, was sacked from Umno by the party's supreme council today.
This was confirmed by two participants of the supreme council meeting. The meeting was held this afternoon at Menara Dato Onn in the capital.
A source who attended the meeting said participants had been barred from speaking about his sacking publicly because party secretary-general Annuar Musa must notify Lokman (above) of the matter in writing first.
However, council member Mohd Puad Zarkashi made the matter public through a Facebook post approximately 30 minutes after the meeting concluded.
Lokman's sacking is believed to be related to his decision to release an audio recording which depicted Umno president Zahid Hamidi's apparent attempt to persuade party leaders to team up with Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
In a statement today, Lokman claimed that he was sacked from the party during the supreme council meeting through a show of hands.
Lokman was an elected Umno supreme council member but opted not to attend the meeting today, citing a loss of confidence in Zahid.
He said he will still pursue his mission to oppose Pakatan Harapan and enemies within Umno through a "cybertrooper NGO".
"I will seek re-entry into the party when Najib becomes Umno president (once again)," he said.
Meanwhile, Puad (below) said he had told the council during its meeting today that the party must be fair in handling disciplinary cases but to no avail.
He claimed the council decided to sack Lokman on the advice of the party's political bureau and not the disciplinary committee.
"What then is the purpose of the disciplinary committee?" asked Puad in a Facebook posting today.
Puad said former Umno vice-president Hishammuddin Hussein, unlike Lokman, appeared to have escaped censure.
"Didn't he (Hishammuddin) hold several meetings with Mahathir without informing the council or the party president (thereby) violating party procedures?
"I'm not trying to defend Lokman but (the party) must be fair and not be selective (in handling disciplinary matters).
"I said this during the council meeting today but to no avail," said Puad whose position in the party supreme council is by appointment.
It is understood that party rules allow for the Umno supreme council to decide on membership matters without having to refer to the disciplinary committee.
While a majority voted to have Lokman sacked, a minority instead voted to have his membership suspended for two years.
Report this comment
Are you sure you want to delete this comment?
This action cannot be undone.