Appeal? Still confused over reasons for suspension - Shahril

SHAH ALAM - Former Umno information chief Shahril Hamdan is puzzled over his suspension from the party as he claims he has never been summoned by the party's disciplinary board nor received any letter regarding any misconduct.

Through videos posted on his social media accounts today said he did not know why the party had come to a decision to suspend him after the Umno Supreme Council meeting, last night.

“I was told to appeal but how should I do that when the original procedure was not even followed accordingly.

“Perhaps they preferred us to make a u-turn, be silent and obey and apologise for my opinions and stand which I feel is for the benefit of the party, but sorry I cannot apologise for those things.

"Yes I would like to be called a fighter, I want to be a fighter but at the end of the day I am just human it is hard for me to accept this decision, as I have fought for this party but in the end this is what happened," he said in the video.

Shahril said the decision made by the top leadership to suspend him might be due to his resignation as the information chief and his demands for Umno President Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to be responsible after the party's terrible performance and loss in the 15th General Election (GE15).

“I also made a video suggesting changes that should happen in Umno including creating a Research and Development (R&D) department within the party.

“But it’s fine and I think we can expect the reason or the main motives of why exactly I have been suspended, this is politics after all ,” Shahril said.

He said that he still had love for the party and the friends and friendships that he had built all these years serving the party.

"Umno and its members have taught me a lot throughout my journey,

“I matured within the party, but I was suddenly treated this way. It is not something easy for me to digest but it’s life.

“I still have love towards Umno members, friends who I had built friendships with, thank you so much for those who gave me support and motivation,” he said.

Shahril said despite what had happened, it was still too early for him to decide on his next move.

"This will not break my spirit, I am still passionate about contributing to the nation's development in the future," he elaborated.

Shahril was among the 42 Umno members who were suspended for six years after the Umno supreme council meeting last night.

Among those who were suspended were Barisan Nasional treasurer-general Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.

While ormer Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin and former Umno Selangor chief, Tan Sri Noh Omar were sacked in an apparent cleanse of the party's ' traitors'.