Suspended Sepanggar MP to decide on political future before nomination day

KOTA KINABALU: Incumbent Sepanggar MP Datuk Jumat Idris will wait for the official announcement of Barisan Nasional candidates before deciding on his next move.

The suspended Umno leader said that he could either decide to "retire gracefully" or continue his political struggle on a different platform.

"I have served the people for the last five years as an MP. I could choose to retire from politics gracefully but if I decide to stay, I will fight," said Jumat, who is on a six-year suspension since 2015.

He said that he was currently talking to the people to get feedback on their views before he makes a decision on his future.

"As far as I am concerned, I have become 'partyless'. As a suspended member, my name does not appear on the party list at all," he added.

Jumat said he hoped to meet Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to thank him for the support and help given to him over the years.

"I have high respect for the Prime Minister as he has helped me all these years including giving me the chance to be MP," he said.

Jumat is widely expected to be replaced by incumbent Kota Belud MP Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan, who is moving to the racially mixed Sepanggar seat.

Jumat, however, did not reveal which political party he would join if he left Umno.

"I have some options but if I decide to continue with politics, I will make an announcement," he said.

There is speculation that Jumat might join Parti Warisan Sabah which is led by former Umno leader Datuk Mohd Shafie Apdal.