KUALA LUMPUR: Umno sacked 58 party members with immediate effect for contesting as independent candidates in parliamentary and state constitutncies in the 13th general election (GE13).
Umno Disciplinary Board Special Committee chairman Tan Sri Tengku Ahmad Rithaudeen Tengku Ismail said the decision to expel was made in line with Clause 20.10 of the Umno Constitution which states that any Umno member contesting the general election as independent candidates will be expelled from the party and their membership cannot be accepted forever.
“Membership expulsion letters have been sent to those concerned,” he said in a statement, here yesterday.
Former Wanita Umno vice-head Datuk Kamilia Ibrahim was among those expelled for contesting as an Independent candidate in the Kuala Kangsar parliamentary constituency.
Also expelled were former Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Deputy Minister, who was also a former head of the Tasek Gelugor Umno division, Datuk Seri Mohd Shariff Omar who contested the Tasek Gelugor parliamentary seat and Sepang Umno division Youth head Datuk Suhaimi Mohd Ghazali who contested the Sepang parliamentary seat, said Ahmad Rithaudeen.
Datu Badruddin Tun Mustapha was expelled for contesting in the Semporna parliamentary and Senallang state seats.
Ahmad Rithaudeen said in addition, three Umno members would be called up this week to answer the show cause why disciplinary action should not be taken against them for becoming proposers, seconders or failing to submit the nomination forms on nomination day last Saturday.
They would be called up under Clause 20.8 of the Umno Constitution read together with Article 3 of the Umno Members Code of Ethics (for failing to follow party instructions or failing to carry out party policies).
“The Umno Disciplinary Board again reminds Umno members that it is ready to take action on any Umno member who sabotages the party during the campaigning period for the 13th general election.
“Stern action including expulsion and membership suspension would be taken after proofs and reports from the observers appointed had been received and investigated in detail,” he said.
Ahmad Rithaudeen also called on all members to be united and to support the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidates nominated to contest by the top party leadership. — Bernama