Chempaka by-election: Umno expels two members for standing as independents

Chempaka by-election candidates (from left) Aslah Mamat, PAS' Ahmad Fathan, Fadzillah Husin, Izat Bukhary Ismail Bukhary and Sharif Mahmood at the nomination centre in Pengkalan Chepa. - Bernama

PETALING JAYA: Umno has expelled two of its members for contesting as independent candidates in the upcoming Chempaka by-election.

"Umno has terminated the memberships of Sharif Mahmood and Fadzillah Hussin effective immediately for contesting as independent candidates in the Chempaka by-election, which contradicts the party stand," it said in a statement Wednesday.

It said that Sharif was registered as member from the RKT Kesedar Jeram Tekoh, Gua Musang division, while Fadzillah was from the Kepala Batas, Tumpat division.

The statement said the decision was made by the Umno supreme council in accordance with Article 20.10 of the party constitution.

The letters were issued from Umno headqurters, signed by secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor.

The Chempaka state seat, within the Pengkalan Chepa Parliamentary constituency, fell vacant following the death of former Kelantan Mentri Besar Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat on Feb 12.

On Feb 25, Umno president and Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced that Barisan Nasional would not contest in Chempaka to concentrate on flood recovery efforts and to provide aid to victims in Kelantan.

PAS candidate Ahmad Fathan Mahmood @ Mahamad will be contesting the seat along with four other independant candidates, including Sharif and Fadzillah.

Polling date has been set for March 22.