Semporna Umno is still intact: Bugaya YB
Published on: Wednesday, June 29, 2016
Kota Kinabalu: Umno Semporna is still intact, strong and functioning as one of the active party divisions in Sabah, said Bugaya Assemblyman Datuk Ramlee Marhaban (pic).He made the assertion following the sudden quit announcement by its Vice Chief Datuk Jaujan Sambakong together with 17 main committee members and 300 branch chiefs in Semporna on Monday which gave an impression that Umno Semporna could be heading towards dissolution."What really happened at the residence of (suspended Umno Vice President) Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal in Semporna on Monday, with Jaujan claiming that 300 branch chiefs have left the party together with three leaders of the Wanita, Youth and Puteri leaders and the 17 committee members, is actually not true.
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"Based on our own study on the incident and accurate information received from credible sources, only about 50 branch chiefs were involved. "Some did not even know the main objective for the function to be organised and held at Shafie's residence … most felt trapped in the situation when suddenly they were announced as part of those people leaving the party," he said.Ramlee, who is also State Finance Assistant Minister, said this in a press conference at his office in Wisma Kewangan, here, Tuesday. Also present were former Sulabayan Assemblyman Datuk Herman Mohamad who is also Umno Semporna branch chief for Kg Egang-Egang and youth members.
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It was reported that the members resigned from Umno to show dissatisfaction and unhappiness over the suspension of Shafie, who is also Semporna Divisional Chief.Two other assemblymen in Semporna – Senallang assemblyman Datuk Nasir Tun Sakaran and Ramlee did not join the pact led by Jaujan to leave Umno. Nasir is Shafie's cousin.
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According to Ramlee, many of the branch chiefs who attended the function were upset and regretted it was stated that they have left the party. In fact, some have explained on Facebook their stand on the matter, that they are still with the party."Umno Semporna is not synonymous with Shafie. Even without him, Umno Semporna can still be intact and stand strong as there are many credible leaders in Semporna who can manage and lead the division."This is because Umno Semporna comprises 515 branches and of this, 503 branches are active. So it is quite impossible to say that Umno Semporna is paralysed when the Monday incident was the result of a trap."Umno Semporna is a stronghold of Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) and it has always been that way before and now, it is a fact," he said.Pertaining to some main committee members of Umno Semporna who have left, Ramlee said only 18 out of 28 main committee members have quit including five to six who were appointed.Although the main committee is left with 10 members, he assured that the division's main committee can still function normally.To a question, he said the division which is currently led by its acting divisional chief Datuk Nasir Tun Sakaran, will leave it to Sabah Umno and the top party leadership to decide on the vacant posts in the main committee and whether the division should hold a special divisional election or via appointments, among others."If the division's (Umno Semporna) main committee decides to dissolve, then it would just mean that only the main committee is dissolved and not Umno Semporna. "On the whole, Umno Semporna is still strong and intact to face any challenges as majority of the branch chiefs are strong Umno supporters and loyal to the party." According to him, the vice chiefs of Wanita and Youth wings of Umno Semporna are among the 18 main committee members who left the party.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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