Umno expels ‘rogue’ MPs

KUALA LUMPUR: Four Umno members, who are representing other parties or standing as an independent in the 15th General Election, have have been expelled from the party, says Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan.

They are Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim, who is contesting the Arau parliamentary seat, and Datuk Seri Ismail Abd Muttalib, who is contesting the Maran parliamentary seat under Perikatan Nasional.

In a statement yesterday, Ahmad said the two other members expelled were Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin and Datuk Azhar Ahmad, who are contesting the Padang Besar parliamentary seat, and Kuala Perlis state seat, respectively, as independent candidates.

“The termination of these four is in line with Clause 20.11 of the Umno constitution, which stipulates that a member who wins and leaves the party to stand as an Independent or for a rival party in the Dewan Rakyat and State Legislative Assembly elections will automatically have their membership revoked.

“With the termination, their positions in Umno divisions will be assumed by the respective deputy heads,” he said in the statement.

Shahidan was previously Umno division chief for Arau, while Zahidi was Padang Besar Umno division chief.

Ahmad said some other members, including those seen accompanying the four candidates during the nomination process, could be deemed as supporting candidates of an opposing party and would be investigated.