Zahid: Shahelmey's Umno membership still suspended, candidacy up to Sabah leadership
Zahid (second left) and Bung (second right) during the launching of the Sepanggar Umno Gerak 17 machinery at the IKM Institute on Saturday.
KOTA KINABALU (May 17): Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Shahelmey Yahya's membership in Umno remains suspended, confirmed Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He clarified that Shahelmey, along with several other Umno members currently serving in the Sabah state government, has neither been expelled from the party nor voluntarily resigned.
'Datuk Shahelmey and the others did not leave Umno, and they were not dismissed. Their status is suspended,' Zahid told reporters.
He was responding to questions on whether Shahelmey and the others would be allowed to contest in the upcoming 17th Sabah State Election (PRN17).
Zahid said the matter would ultimately be decided by the state Umno leadership.
'Whether they will contest again or not, that depends on the wisdom of Datuk Seri Panglima Bung Moktar Radin,' he said after launching the Sepanggar Umno Gerak 17 machinery at the Industrial Training Institute (IKM)in Sepanggar on Saturday.
Also present was Sabah Umno chief Datuk Bung Moktar Radin.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sinar Daily
an hour ago
- Sinar Daily
Partisan pick for Economy Minister could rock Unity Govt, analysts warn
Anwar's Economy Minister choice: A minefield for coalition stability? A political analyst has cautioned that maintaining stability within the current government is important, particularly with Umno as a key coalition partner. - Bernama file photo SHAH ALAM – As Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim considers Malaysia's next Economy Minister, political analysts caution that appointing a purely partisan figure could ignite internal tensions and jeopardise government unity. Speaking to Sinar Daily, political analyst Associate Professor Dr Syaza Shukri from International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) has cautioned that maintaining stability within the current government is important, particularly with Umno as a key coalition partner. A political analyst has cautioned that ensuring harmony with Umno is a critical calculation for the administration to sustain its footing and manage the complexities of coalition politics effectively. - Bernama file photo She stated that ensuring harmony with Umno is a critical calculation for the administration to sustain its footing and manage the complexities of coalition politics effectively. "The important thing now is to maintain stability with Umno. It's crucial to appease Umno,' she said, noting that the coalition's limited pool of viable candidates among PKR and Umno adds to the difficulty. O2 Research Head Anis Anwar echoed these concerns, stating that bringing in a technocrat would help avoid new factional battles within PKR and Pakatan Harapan (PH). 'Since Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli's departure, coalition unity has already been tested by emerging PKR tensions, lingering scepticism among Barisan Nasional (BN) MPs and voter impatience,' he said. In such an environment, Anis argued, a technocratic figure would help depoliticise the Economy Ministry and reinforce the Unity Government's 'collective responsibility' ethos. "Umno is simultaneously recalibrating for 16th General Election and it is unlikely to object to a non-aligned professional as long as its key rural development and social welfare programmes are safeguarded," Anis added. According to Anis, PKR, still recovering from internal contests, recognised that any overt infighting over a partisan pick could harm its credibility. In contrast, he said a neutral technocrat would deny critics an opportunity to accuse the party of prioritising internal loyalties over national interest. Anis also said that PH leaders are aware that voter dissatisfaction with opportunistic appointments could jeopardise the coalition's comfortable majority. "A technocrat appointment is the path of least resistance. It insulates the Cabinet from intra-party strife, stabilises markets, and fosters a sense of forward momentum without inviting fresh controversies," Anis added. Within PKR, he said selecting a technocrat prevents either the Nurul Izzah Anwar faction or the Rafizi faction from monopolising the economic portfolio. While grassroots members may be disappointed that their preferred candidates lack visibility, they are likely to appreciate the party's prioritisation of national interest. "Other PH political members have not much to say or comment to keep the coalition in order and harmony. "BN will accept a technocrat as long as its key constituencies are taken care of and those ministry seats do not fall under their party seat quota," he said.
Daily Express
3 hours ago
- Daily Express
‘Solo or coalition' decision July
Published on: Wednesday, June 11, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jun 11, 2025 By: Mohd Nazllie Zainul Text Size: Masidi at the launching SMJ Energy's Education CSR Programme at SMK Kanibongan in Pitas, yesterday. Kota Kinabalu: The question of whether the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) will contest solo in the imminent 17th State Election (PRN17) or maintain its partnership with Pakatan Harapan (PH) is expected to be answered by early July at the latest, said GRS Sec-Gen Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun. He said the decision would likely be finalised during the GRS Supreme Council meeting, which is expected to convene either later this month or early next month. Advertisement Masidi also confirmed that although GRS has yet to make an official decision on its election strategy, GRS Chairman cum Sabah's Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Haji Noor has met with leaders of the coalition's component parties and held informal talks with PH leaders. 'We haven't made a final decision yet because the Supreme Council has not met. However, I believe the President has already met with all the component party presidents. 'I'm confident he has also held informal discussions with PH leaders. One thing is certain—if not this month, then by early next month we will know,' he told the media in Pitas on Tuesday. The GRS Supreme Council is composed of the presidents of the coalition's eight component parties: Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat), GRS, PBS, Star Sabah, SAPP, Usno, Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and Parti Cinta Sabah (PCS). 'He (Hajiji) has indicated that GRS is inclined to continue the PH-GRS cooperation, which has formed the foundation of the unity government in both Sabah and Putrajaya. 'If I'm not mistaken, the Chief Minister has repeatedly emphasised his desire for the PH-GRS cooperation to continue in the coming election. 'The main reason is to ensure political stability,' he said. It was reported that Sabah Pakatan may agree to a seat-sharing formula with GRS and Sabah Barisan helmed by Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin. However, GRS and Sabah Barisan are expected to cross swords as there is no love lost between Hajiji and Bung, following a failed attempt by the latter to unseat the GRS government last January. Bung had pulled Sabah Barisan out of the GRS coalition in 2023 after a fallout with Hajiji. Bung is said to be courting other parties like Parti Warisan led by Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal and Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat (KDM) led by Priscella Peter, the daughter of its jailed president Datuk Peter Anthony. But Warisan and KDM do not seem keen on any tie-up, with both publicly stating their intention to go it solo. GRS component parties like Sabah STAR, SAPP and Usno prefer GRS to go solo, although Hajiji was inclined to work with Sabah Pakatan. Warisan has decided to opt out of any pact in Sabah although it is a partner of the federal unity government. Some predict that KDM could seal a pact with either Barisan or Warisan if they get the number and choices of seats, with the party eyeing at least 18 Kadazandusun, Murut and Rungus seats. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Free Malaysia Today
13 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Rodziah stands firm in Ampang amid Tengku Zafrul candidacy talk
Rodziah Ismail's affirmation of her commitment to Ampang comes after reports suggested PKR might consider fielding Tengku Zafrul Aziz in a Selangor parliamentary seat in the next general election. PETALING JAYA : Ampang MP Rodziah Ismail has reaffirmed her commitment to the constituency amid speculation that investment, trade and industry minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz may contest the seat in the next general election. The PKR lawmaker said in a statement that she remained focused on serving the people of Ampang, a seat she has held since the 15th general election (GE15) in 2022. 'It's been almost three years since the people of Ampang entrusted me to represent them in Parliament. 'The bitter experience of 2022 taught us one thing – the people's trust must never be betrayed. 'I remain committed to developing Ampang together with the community, restoring its charm and ensuring your voice remains my priority,' she said. Last week, Tengku Zafrul announced that he had quit Umno and expressed his intention to join PKR, further fuelling speculation about his political future. Reports yesterday suggested PKR might consider fielding him in a Selangor parliamentary seat in the next general election. Quoting grassroots leaders, China Press reported PKR is more likely to field him to contest a parliamentary seat in Selangor since the general election is expected to be held in about a year's time. Among the seats mentioned was Ampang, which is currently held by Rodziah. In February, FMT also quoted sources as saying Tengku Zafrul was likely to contest an urban Selangor seat in the next general election, with Ampang among the top choices. Among the other constituencies apparently being considered are Petaling Jaya and Pandan, both currently held by PKR MPs. Rodziah, a seasoned politician and former Selangor executive councillor, won the Ampang seat in GE15 with a majority of over 20,000 votes.
