Datuk Shahelmey Yahya.
KOTA KINABALU: Tanjung Keramat assemblyman Datuk Shahelmey Yahya's suspension from Umno is now official, confirmed Putatan Umno chief Jeffery Noh.
The Sabah Umno election director said that any claims from Shahelmey, who is also the state Deputy Chief Minister and Works Minister, regarding his active membership are merely his personal views.
Jeffery said that party membership decisions are under the autonomous jurisdiction of Sabah Umno and that the national leadership should take guidance from the state leadership.
"The decision on Umno membership follows Sabah Umno’s autonomous authority. The national leadership must consult us (Sabah Umno) on any membership status, whether it concerns elected representatives or ordinary members.
"As such, the statement made recently by our chief, Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, should be considered the official stance of Sabah Umno," he said.
Jeffery made these remarks at the Felcra Madani Santuni Rakyat 2025 programme in Kampung Kalabakan on Wednesday (March 5), attended by Sebatik Umno coordinator Hady Syam Nuredin.
Bung Moktar previously said that Shahelmey was suspended not only for supporting Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor but also for betraying the party's struggle and mandate.
"Umno will not compromise with disloyal members. Loyalty to the party’s cause is paramount," Bung Moktar said, urging the Umno supreme council to take firm action against members who fail to uphold party discipline.
He stressed that Sabah Umno would not support any leader who has betrayed the party to contest under Umno or Barisan Nasional in upcoming elections.
In October last year, Bung Moktar announced Jeffery Noh as Umno and Barisan’s candidate for the Tanjung Keramat seat in the upcoming 17th state election following Shahelmey’s ‘betrayal’.
However, Shahelmey, who is also the Putatan MP, insists he remains an Umno member, adding that a check with the party’s headquarters showed his membership was still active despite Bung Moktar’s claim of a six-year suspension.
"We will clarify this in due course. For now, my focus is on my duties," Shahelmey said on Feb 27.
His suspension stems from his decision to support Hajiji’s leadership in January 2023, leading to a fallout with Umno’s state leadership.
Another Barisan leader, Datuk Andy Muhammad Suryady Bandy, has also reportedly been suspended.
