Umno better off without Shafie: Rahman and Salleh

Kota Kinabalu: Former Umno vice president Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal's exit from the party was expected and not a loss to Umno, said Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan.In an immediate response to Shafie's announcement, the Sabah Barisan Nasional secretary downplayed any possible fallout in Umno from his former Cabinet colleague's departure.

"Shafie's decision is not surprising at all. It was expected. All this while, his movement was harming the party," the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department wrote on Twitter.

"Umno is not strong because of an individual, but because of its mission. Leaders come and go. What always remains constant is the struggle," he said, adding that the party was prepared to face anyone who wanted to challenge it.

"Semporna Umno is still functioning and will be strengthened with a stronger line of leadership who care about the people's interests."

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Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak said the decision of Shafie does not come as a surprise.

He said talk of Shafie's departure from the party had been circulating among Umno members for a long time.

Salleh, who is Sabah Umno Liaison Committee deputy chairman, said it was Shafie's right to leave the party.

"His quitting the party does not undermine the strength of Sabah Umno because the majority of members supports the party's struggle and not individuals.

"Sabah Umno continues to uphold the party leadership under (UMNO) President and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman at the Sabah level," he said.

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Salleh said every Umno member should abide by the party system and that Shafie was no longer aligned to the system and it was better for him to leave the party.

"The important thing now is party solidarity. Members should unite to face the much bigger challenges in making Malaysia a developed nation," he said.

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