Umno Chief Demands Political Integrity: Shahelmey Challenged to Vacate Seat for State Election

In a bold move, Sabah Umno chief Bung Moktar Radin has issued a stern ultimatum to state deputy chief minister III Shahelmey Yahya: vacate your Putatan parliamentary seat if you dare to contest in the upcoming state election.

Asserting the integrity of the electoral process, Bung Moktar emphasized that Shahelmy's suspension by Umno for six years in March last year renders him ineligible to defend his state seat, as per rules laid down by the Election Commission (EC).

"There might just be a thunderous by-election for Putatan and a fierce contest for a state seat," Bung Moktar exclaimed passionately.

Commenting on Shahelmey’s ambitions to retain his Tanjung Keramat seat, Bung Moktar affirmed Umno's readiness to secure both the Tanjung Keramat state seat and the Putatan parliamentary seat with alternative candidates, exuding confidence in the party's diverse pool of talents.

"We boast a plethora of formidable candidates ready to step up if Putatan requires a by-election," he declared with conviction.

Shahelmey's suspension stemmed from his defiance of party directives during an attempt to oust Sabah chief minister Hajiji Noor early last year, a maneuver spearheaded by Bung that ultimately fizzled out when Hajiji demonstrated his commanding support among Sabah’s assemblymen.

Notably, Shahelmy's stance contrasted with that of four other Umno assemblymen – James Ratib (Sugut), Jasnih Daya (Pantai Dalit), Arsad Bistari (Tempasuk), and Hamild Awang (Balung) – who threw their weight behind Hajiji, precipitating their resignation from Umno to join Gagasan Rakyat Sabah, led by Hajiji.

While Shahelmey refrained from leaving Umno to avoid violating federal anti-defection laws as an MP, his counterparts took the plunge, exploiting the absence of an anti-defection law in the Sabah legislative assembly at that time.

With the looming prospect of the next Sabah state elections, anticipated no later than September 2025 as announced by Hajiji, the political arena simmers with anticipation and intrigue.

In this electrifying political landscape, Bung Moktar's uncompromising stance underscores the paramount importance of political integrity and adherence to party discipline. As Sabah braces for the electoral storm ahead, the stage is set for a showdown that will shape the future of the state's political landscape.

With bold assertions and unwavering determination, Bung Moktar challenges Shahelmey to uphold the principles of accountability and respect for party decisions, setting the stage for a gripping political saga that captivates the attention of Sabahans and observers nationwide. As the countdown to the state election begins, all eyes are on Sabah, awaiting the unfolding drama that will determine its political destiny.

Zulaikha Farhana is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!

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