Umno suspends Tajuddin, division leader for six years

Umno has suspended the membership of Pasir Salak MP Tajuddin Abdul Rahman for six years effective immediately.

The party also suspended Alor Setar Umno division chief Mohd Yusof Ismail, reported Utusan Malaysia.

A source told the daily that Tajuddin (above) was given a two-term suspension over his open criticism of the party and its president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, which was decided by the Umno supreme council meeting last night.

It is worth noting that Tajuddin was removed from the Umno supreme council in June, for calling Zahid a “liability” and demanding the latter's resignation from the top post.

A month later, Tajuddin was dropped as Malaysia's named ambassador to Indonesia.

Malaysiakini has contacted Tajuddin for comment but has yet to receive a reply.

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Yusof said he has yet to receive an official letter regarding the matter.

However, he believes the action taken against him is an indication that Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who is also an Umno vice-president, could meet the same fate if the premier fails to dissolve Parliament soon.

"I believe this is a signal to the prime minister, if the Parliament is not dissolved soon, he can be suspended like me too.

"I regret that the action taken against me is heavier than the one taken against former Umno supreme council member Lokman Adam, who launched more scathing remarks against the prime minister," Yusof said in a statement today.

He admitted that he criticised the Umno president but it was done through the Umno division chief's WhatsApp group.

Besides action against Tajuddin and Yusof, the meeting yesterday also sacked former Bandar Tun Razak Umno division secretary Zaharin Mohd Yasin, allegedly for being critical of the party's leadership, especially Zahid.

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