Ushering in the future: Zahid (in black batik shirt) is greeted by children as he arrives for the monthly assembly at the Rural and Regional Development Ministry in Putrajaya. — Bernama
PUTRAJAYA: Umno will accept appeals against the sacking or suspension of its members but the process will have to go through the disciplinary board, says party president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He said that so far, no letter of appeal had landed on his table yet.
“Umno will accept appeals. We will leave it to the disciplinary committee to study each case,” he added.
Asked on calls by Johor Umno for Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein and Datuk Maulizan Bujang to be allowed to appeal their suspensions, Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister, said the party had not received any appeal from them.
“I have only read statements on this but so far, there is no appeal letter from anyone,” he said after attending the Rural and Regional Development Ministry’s monthly assembly yesterday.
Johor Umno chief Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin had said that while it respected the party’s decision, the two should be given a chance to appeal their suspensions.
Hishammuddin is the Sembrong Umno chief and MP while Maulizan is Tebrau Umno division chief.
On Jan 27, the supreme council announced their six-year suspension, along with former information chief Shahril Hamdan, former youth exco member Datuk Dr Fathul Bari Mat Jahaya and former Jempol MP Datuk Seri Mohd Salim Mohd Shariff.
The party had also announced the sacking of former youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin and former Selangor Umno chief Tan Sri Noh Omar.
On another matter, Ahmad Zahid said Umno had provided details and explanation to the Registrar of Societies (ROS) as requested on the no-contest motion for the party’s top two posts.
The motion was adopted during the recent Umno general assembly.
Ahmad Zahid said party secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan and a team of legal advisers had met twice with ROS officials.
“We were given 60 days to provide a detailed explanation and I believe the secretary-general has fulfilled the ROS’ requests. We have provided all the details and information needed,” he said.
“I am confident the (Umno) assembly was carried out in accordance with our meeting rules and also the party constitution.”
