Akmal wishes Rembia rep 'good luck' in raising RM100m

Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh has challenged Rembia assemblyperson Muhammad Jailani Khamis to pay the RM100 million penalty imposed on him for party hopping without making any excuses.

Akmal dismissed Jailani’s claim that Umno was trying to bankrupt him, saying that Jailani himself had signed an agreement that prohibits the switching of party allegiance and should therefore take responsibility for his actions.

“The fact is, you (Jailani) signed the agreement without any coercion, and you must take responsibility when you ‘hop’ parties.

“Accept this reality. Umno is merely claiming back the promise we both agreed on earlier,” Akmal told reporters at an event in Merlimau, Malacca today.

Akmal pointed out that BN candidates in the 2021 Malacca state election are required to sign a contract, which stipulates that those who go against the party’s decision must relinquish their membership and pay RM100 million as compensation.

“We didn't force him (Jailani) to sign the agreement but he did it himself because he wanted to be a candidate representing Umno and BN. So, he must be responsible for what he agreed to earlier,” he said.

‘Price’ to pay for leaving Umno

The Rembia assemblyperson previously claimed during a speech in Gua Musang that Umno’s RM100 million claim was an attempt to bankrupt him.

While acknowledging that he would face financial difficulties if he had to pay the amount, Jailani said he would remain committed to his decision to join PAS, recognising it as the “price” he had to pay for leaving Umno-BN.

Jailani was first an Umno member before joining PKR for the 2018 elections and becoming an independent assemblyperson, and then rejoining Umno after the Sheraton Move.

He was officially announced as a member of PAS on July 16.

PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan had stated that the move would not affect Jailani’s position as an assemblyperson as it was made before Malacca enacted the anti-party hopping law.

For the record, Malacca state assembly speaker Ibrahim Durum had given Jailani until last Friday to provide an explanation.

Late last month, Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki announced that the party would initiate legal action against Jailani to claim RM100 million in damages and compensation.

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