Umno suspends Shahelmey’s membership for 6 years

Sabah Umno chief Bung Moktar Radin confirmed that Deputy Chief Minister III Shahelmey Yahya’s party membership has been suspended for six years.

“Well, he (Shahelmey) is suspended for six years, all right, thank you,” he told reporters without elaborating when met at the Kinabatangan Umno Division delegates meeting yesterday.

Shahelmey (above), in a brief statement yesterday, said that he has yet to receive any official word from Umno regarding the matter, adding that he had expected the decision.

“I accept it with an open heart and I hope the statement that was reported (Bung Moktar) can be considered as the official decision,” the Putatan MP added.

On Jan 6, Bung Moktar announced that Sabah Umno and BN were withdrawing their support for Hajiji Noor as chief minister, but Shahelmey and four other Umno assemblypersons at that time pledged their support for Hajiji, who is also Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) chairperson.

On Feb 21, five Sabah Umno assemblyperson - Jasnih Daya (Pantai Dalit), James Ratib (Sugut), Mohd Arsad Bistari (Tempasuk), Yusof Yacob (Sindumin) and Hamild@Hamid Awang (Balung) announced they were quitting the party.

On Feb 25, Shahelmey, who is also Tanjung Keramat assemblyperson, said the Umno disciplinary board called him up to give his reasons for the charges that had been stated.

Meanwhile, Bung, who is also Kinabatangan Umno division head after winning uncontested this time, said the action of the Sabah Umno assemblypersons, leaders and members quitting the party would not affect the party.

Asked about the leaders’ action in joining Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) led by Hajiji, Bung said their action was similar to the administrative era of the now-defunct Berjaya from the mid-1970s to 1980s and he did not expect Gagasan Rakyat to last very long.

- Bernama

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