By-election: Haslihelmy sacked from Umno for contesting as Independent

BENTONG - Bentong Division Umno Youth Haslihelmy DM Zulhasli has been sacked from Umno effective on Saturday.

This was confirmed by party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi after Haslihelmy, who is also a member of Kampung Sum-Sum Umno, decided to run as an Independent candidate in the Pelangai State Assembly by-election.

"Even though he is an Independent candidate, his membership will automatically end from today," he said briefly to reporters at the Dewan Orang Ramai Felda Kemasul candidate nomination centre, earlier.

He said this when asked to comment on the actions of Haslihelmy who decided to run on an Independent ticket in the Pelangai state assembly by-election scheduled to take place on October 7.

Prior to that, Haslihelmy was seen arriving at the nomination centre at 9.05am.

Previously, the media reported that Haslihelmy stated that he was ready to be fired from Umno and insisted that the decision to contest was taken to ensure that the voice of the people, especially the younger generation in Pelangai, was heard.

Barisan Nasional (BN) had named Bentong Umno committee member Datuk Amizar Abu Adam, 50, a native of Felda Chemomoi, to defend the seat.

Meanwhile, Perikatan Nasional (PN) named Bentong Pas Vice-President Kasim Samat, 63 years old, better known as Cikgu Kasim, to compete in the by-election.

The process of submitting nomination forms ends at 10am. - AWANI