KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (pic) has indicated possible disciplinary action against party leaders who went against the party's interests prior to the formation of the government.
The Umno president said there were party leaders who went against the party consensus and decisions made.
"It (possible action) will be based on the agreement of party delegates, which will give the mandate to the party disciplinary body to act," he said in his presidential address at the opening of the Umno general assembly on Friday (Jan 13).
Ahmad Zahid, during a closed door pre-general assembly briefing on Wednesday (Jan 11) had called out 10 Barisan Nasional MPs – six from Umno – who signed a statutory declaration supporting Perikatan chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as prime minister candidate.
On Thursday (Jan 12), Ahmad Zahid said he had forgiven the six Umno MPs for their actions but the party would continue to monitor them.
"Together with the Umno disciplinary board, I will continue to monitor them on their stand should they make any kind of move. I am convinced that they are currently with Barisan in supporting the unity government," he said.
Ahmad Zahid also said that Umno headquarters remained supportive of its Sabah chapter.
"We will continue to support Sabah Umno and will remain with its leadership and grassroots," he said.
Sabah Barisan had been dropped from the latest state Cabinet line-up after the former pulled support for Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
However, five Sabah Umno members – Datuk Shahelmey Yahya (Tanjung Keramat), Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob (Sindumin), Datuk Jasnih Daya (Pantai Dalit), Datuk Arshad Bistari (Tempasuk), and Datuk James Ratib (Sugut) – maintained their support for Hajiji.
On Jan 11, Shahelmy was appointed as Deputy Chief Minister III and Works Minister, taking over from Sabah Umno chief Datuk Seri Bung Mokhtar Radin, who had led the withdrawal of support for Hajiji.
