PETALING JAYA: Gagasan Rakyat president Hajiji Noor has opened the door for three former Umno assemblymen to join his party.
Hajiji, who is Sabah chief minister said the trio, James Ratib (Sugut), Arsad Bistari (Tempasuk) and Jasnih Daya (Pantai Dalit) could also join any other party in the state,
Berita Harian reported.
“However, if they apply to join Gagasan Rakyat, we will accept them. It is up to them to choose,” he was quoted as saying.
Yesterday, Sabah Umno chief Bung Moktar Radin announced the sacking of the trio. This was despite the fact that they had already announced their exit from the party along with Balung assemblyman Hamid Awang in February.
They were among the Umno assemblymen who refused to support Bung’s failed bid to topple Hajiji in January.
The other Umno assemblyman who defied Sabah Umno’s orders in January is Tanjung Keramat assemblyman Shahelmy Yahya. On March 18, Bung was reported to have said that Shahelmy, who is also Putatan MP, had been suspended for six years.
Shahelmy was named deputy chief minister by Hajiji in a state Cabinet reshuffle, following the failed coup attempt by Bung.
