SANDAKAN: Over 600 Umno Batu Sapi members from 100 branches announced their resignation from Umno yesterday, including Umno Batu Sapi vice chief Pg Roslan Pg Nasrun and 27 branch heads.
“Two reasons why we’re quitting. First, we disagree with the Umno Supreme Council’s decision to suspend Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal as Umno vice president.
“Secondly, we’re quitting because we have lost our trust and confidence in the Umno President, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, to lead the party” Roslan said at a press conference yesterday.
Roslan pointed out that he joined Umno in 1991 since its leaders were sincere and honest in helping the Bumiputeras in Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah.
Instead, he said the party today is being used as a tool to protect and serve the personal interests of certain individuals, thereby corrupting the party.
“Every fight involves sacrifice. Because I do not want to work with Umno leaders who use the party for personal gains and ruin the future of the country, I hereby announce that I am leaving Umno,” he said, adding that he was acting on his own will and not forced by any party.
The over 600 people at the press conference waved Sabah flags and held posters of Shafie who has resigned from the party.
Roslan later went on stage and gave a brief speech, which was followed by three loud cheers of ‘Hidup Shafie Apdal’.
When asked whether Umno Batu Sapi chief Datuk Samsudin Yahya was aware of his action, Roslan said he did not know.
He also said that if Shafie decides to join another party, he would follow and support him.
The mass resignation followed the announcement of a similar move by 300 Umno branch chiefs in Semporna and over 100 Umno Kinabatangan members last month.