Umno reps change their mind about asking Bung to quit


KOTA KINABALU: The five Sabah Umno dissidents who called for Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin to step down as state Umno chairman softened their stand just two hours later. They retracted the call for him to quit but maintained their support for Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor as Sabah’s Chief Minister.

Yesterday, the five Barisan Nasional dissidents publicly declared their backing for Hajiji as the Chief Minister and called for Bung Moktar to quit at first.

In a statement issued close to 5pm, the five Umno assemblymen pledged their unwavering support for Hajiji.

They were Datuk Shahelmey Yahya (Tanjung Keramat), Datuk Yusof Yacob (Sindumin), Datuk Jasni Daya (Pantai Dalit), Datuk Arshad Bistari (Tempasuk) and Datuk James Ratib (Sugut).

“We were shocked by the action of some party members, including party chairman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, who are trying to cause the downfall of the state government.

“We wish to make it clear that we support Hajiji as Chief Minister,” they said in the statement.

They also stressed that they do not support Bung Moktar’s actions or any other attempt to disrupt the political stability of Sabah.

“We strongly condemn this action and urge Bung Moktar to step down as Umno chairman with immediate effect as his actions have tarnished the image of the party.”

They said Sabah has once again been dragged into a political crisis because of power-grabbing by “irresponsible parties”.

“Together, with the people of Sabah, we are firm in the belief that this is not the right time for a power grab,” they added.

The five assemblymen also voiced their hope that the problem would be resolved soon.

However, the group amended their statement later, retracting their call for Bung Moktar to quit.

Their latest statement omitted the paragraph in which they had asked him to step down as state Umno chief.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
   

Next In Nation

All eyes on who will be Sabah's next Yang di-Pertua with Juhar's term ending Dec 31
Five nabbed in Tawau drug den raid
Public caning is glorifying cruelty in the name of morality, says Sisters in Islam
Doctor pleads not guilty after charged with insulting woman’s modesty in Perak
Myanmar national pleads guilty to gouging man’s left eye
M'sian teen duo meet UK's Queen Camilla to receive top prizes in Commonwealth essay competition
KTMB provides two additional ETS trains for Christmas, school holidays
Cops use drones to investigate and monitor errant officers
MCA's 'you-can-do-it' man Lee Hack Teik honoured after his passing
Sabah adopts new law to regulate Islamic adoptions

Others Also Read