Guar Chempedak rep quits after questioning BN’s role

GEORGE TOWN: Guar Chempedak assemblyman Datuk Dr Ku Abdul Rahman Ku Ismail (pic) decided on leaving Umno as he had started questioning the role and purpose of Barisan Nasional.

“I took a serious look at the political scene in the country, including the recent development where party leaders of the Barisan government are facing charges.

“It made me question my role as a Barisan assemblyman and how I could represent the people and provide meaningful service.

“I regret that Kedah has fallen behind in terms of development and economically compared to other states such as Penang, Sela­ngor and Johor.

“Kedah’s income per capita is the second lowest after Kelantan.

“Thus, we need everyone to come together to improve Kedah,” he said, adding that this made him think rationally about leaving the party and Barisan so that he could work with others to bring about better development for the state.

Meanwhile, Kedah Umno exp­ressed its disappointment over Ku Abdul Rahman’s decision to leave the party and become an independent representative.

Umno Supreme Council member and Kedah Umno chairman Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom said despite the party’s dismay, they could not prevent Ku Abdul Rahman from leaving.

“Kedah Umno hopes that the people, especially the voters in the Guar Chem­pedak constituency, can judge for themselves the action taken by Ku Abdul Rahman and turn this into a lesson for the future,” he said in a statement here yesterday.

Jamil, who is also Jerai Umno division chief, praised two Kedah Barisan Nasional assemblymen for remaining loyal to the party, namely Datuk Suraya Yaacob (Sungai Tiang) and Datuk Norsab­rina Mohd Noor (Bandar Baharu).

“I was informed of the matter through a letter I received yesterday ... so his seat in the House will be changed,” Jamil said.

Ku Abdul Rahman, 62, defeated PAS candidate Musoddak Ahmad for the Guar Chempedak state seat in the 14th General Election in May.