Sembrong Umno to discuss Hishammuddin's suspension tomorrow

Sembrong Umno will discuss and decide on their stand in a meeting tomorrow following the suspension of their division chief, Hishammuddin Hussein.

Malay-daily Berita Harian quoted Sembrong Umno deputy chief Abdul Ghani Abdul Rashid as saying the division is expected to announce its stand on Hishammuddin's six-year suspension.

"Sembrong Umno will hold a special meeting at 5pm tomorrow, followed by a press conference.

"During the press conference, Sembrong Umno Youth chief Hafiz Ariffin, will read out the stance of our division," Abdul Ghani was quoted as saying.

It was also reported that Hishammuddin (above), who is also Sembrong MP, will not be present as he is currently abroad.

Hishammuddin, in response, had posted on social media saying, "their evil must not make us lose our good".

‘Not the end, a new beginning’

In a separate 50-second video posted on his TikTok account, Hishammuddin stressed that the party’s disciplinary action against him is not the end of him.

Instead, the former party vice-president said it is “merely a new beginning” for him. 

“Regarding my next step, I have to discuss with the Sembrong Umno leadership to think about my next direction and actions.

“Whatever happened will not dampen my spirit to keep fighting for the religion, race, and country.

“This is not the end, but a new beginning - merely a new beginning,” he said in the short clip. 

However, the former defence minister did not reveal if he would appeal against the suspension or otherwise.

Blessing in disguise?

Separately in Johor, former Tebrau Umno division chief Maulizan Bujang, who was also hit with a six-year suspension, said he accepted the decision despite not being called to explain himself to the party's disciplinary board.

"For 42 years, I was a member and started at the branch level, taking part in welfare and community activities.

"Maybe it’s my fault for being, at times, not on the same page as the president. It’s okay, maybe this is a blessing in disguise," said the former Tiram state assemblyperson and state education exco.

Umno's internal clean-up operation announced after the party's supreme council meeting last night also saw changes to the Johor leadership, with Kota Tinggi MP Mohamed Khaled Nordin being chosen as the new state liaison committee chairperson, replacing Simpang Renggam MP Hasni Mohammad.

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