‘Umno members who contest as independents will be sacked’

Umno members who contest against Barisan Nasional in any election or by-election will have their membership automatically revoked, says Umno executive secretary Datuk Ab Rauf Yusoh.

“Our constitution is very clear. If you contest on an independent platform or any other platform without Umno’s consent you will be automatically sacked,” he told The Star Online on Tuesday.

He gave the example of Perkasa chief Datuk Ibrahim Ali who contested the 2004 general election as an independent in the Pasir Mas seat.

Earlier on Tuesday, Pusat Bandar Taman Chempaka Umno Youth deputy secretary Syed Rosli Harman Jamalullail announced his intentions to contest the Kuala Kangsar by-election, saying he was not happy with Barisan’s decision to field Datin Mastura Mohd Yazid as a candidate.

Mastura, who is Datuk Wan Mohammad Khai-ril Anuar Wan Ahmad’s widow, is Barisan’s candidate for the June 18 by-election.

The Kuala Kangsar parliamentary seat fell vacant following the death of Wan Mohammad Khai-ril.

He was among six killed in a helicopter crash on May 5 in Sebuyau, Sarawak.

Clause 20.10 of the Umno Constitution states that any Umno member contesting a general election as an independent candidate will be expelled from the party.