KB Umno not keen on having Salleh back
Published on: Friday, July 03, 2020
By: Iskandar Dzulkifli
KOTA BELUD: Kota Belud Umno is not keen on having back former Umno Treasurer Datuk Salleh Said Keruak (pic), saying it needs to be studied in depth, especially in terms of grassroots acceptance of him in the area. Kota Belud Umno division chief Awang Fadli Juanas said they are still hurt by the former Tempasuk assemblyman’s irresponsible attitude to dump the party just because Umno lost in the 14th General Election. Salleh also lost to a Warisan Sabah newcomer.ADVERTISEMENT
He said the division had not received any request from Salleh to rejoin and the matter had not been discussed at the State Umno meeting but came to light only after Sabah Umno Chairman Datuk Seri Bung Mokhtar Raden announced it.
UMNO (Credit: Wikipedia)
“Kota Belud Umno believes that the application of any individual to return to Umno needs to be refined and studied from all angles, especially the grassroots’ acceptance. Moreover, we want to restore the people’s confidence in Umno,” he said on Thursday.
He said the application should take into account the sentiments of the people who are still hurt and angry with irresponsible leaders who frogged when the party lost.
“Where were they when the remaining Umno members struggled to improve and strengthen this party?”ADVERTISEMENT
Earlier, Bung Mokhtar confirmed that he had accepted Salleh’s request to rejoin Umno and had forwarded it to the Umno Supreme Council for consideration and approval.
Bung, who is also Kinabatangan MP, said Sabah Umno is open and welcomed any former member and leader of any party, including Umno, who wants to join or return.
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Awang Fadli believes Bung’s statement is personal and does not represent Sabah Umno’s stance as a whole.
He said the issue of Salleh’s application had also been brought up in Kota Belud Umno and their position was conveyed to the party’s state and central leadership.
“I think the acceptance of those who left the party should depend on the benefits they bring,” he said.
Earlier, Salleh, who is also a former Chief Minister, in a post on his blog site said he had cancelled his application to join PKR after considering today’s political landscape including PKR’s internal turmoil.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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Salleh, who is also a former Federal Minister of Communications and Multimedia, asked to join PKR in October last year after he and a majority of Sabah Umno leaders left the party in December 2018.