Five Sabah assemblymen receive letter from Umno Disciplinary Board

KOTA KINABALU - Pantai Dalit State Assemblyman Datuk Jasnih Daya confirmed that he has received a letter from the Umno Disciplinary Board last Friday.

Jasnih said four other Umno-Barisan Nasional (BN) assemblymen who previously expressed their support for Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor as Sabah Chief Minister also received the same letter.

"I have received the letter for disciplinary action but today's ceremony (to leave Umno) was planned earlier. So I'll still attend this Friday to clarify the situation.

"I don't know what disciplinary action will be imposed, but today's action (exiting the party) is related to the decision we made during the previous crisis. That is the reason why we were called to the Disciplinary Board," he said when met at the Sabah International Convention Center (SICC).

He said this when asked by reporters about his move to leave Umno and the disciplinary action the party will impose on those involved.

Previously, five Umno-BN assemblymen namely Jasnih, Datuk Ir Shahelmey Yahya (Tanjung Keramat), Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob (Sindumin), Datuk Jasnih Daya (Patai Dalit), Datuk Mohd Arsad Bistari (Tempasuk) and Datuk James Ratib (Sugut) expressed their support for Hajiji as Chief Minister of Sabah.

The support was done openly and contrary to the announcement made by Umno-BN Sabah at the time who were against Hajiji's leadership.

On another matter, Kunak assemblyman Azlinah Ariff who previously announced her exit from Parti Warisan (Warisan) said, she has not received any letters pertaining to her exit.

"So far there is nothing (action from Warisan's lawyers)," she said briefly to reporters.

Speaking about the attacks and allegations that she was 'bought' to leave the party, Azlinah once again insisted that it was normal for any assemblyman to leave their parties.

"I think any party has the same reaction when an assemblyman leaves. God willing, if the assemblyman carries out their responsibilities well, people will understand why and what the real purpose of the action was. I think time will determine and prove it," she said.

Before that, Jasnih and Azlinah were among the assemblymen who were together in a press conference announcing their intention to join Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Sabah) which is led by Hajiji.