UMNO members acting as independent or opposition candidates' proposers, seconders sacked - Zahid
BAGAN DATUK, April 29 (Bernama) -- Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said UMNO will sack its members who are the proposers, seconders or sponsors of independent and opposition candidates in the 14th General Election (GE14).
Ahmad Zahid, the UMNO vice president who executes the duties of UMNO deputy president, said stern action should be taken against them because the group had betrayed the party.
"I would like to mention that there are indeed among UMNO leaders at the divisional level who are also contesting as Independents or opposition party candidates."
"As accorded under the UMNo constitution, those who are directly involved automatically will be sacked as UMNO members," he told a media conference after attending the NBOS: 1AMANWEEK 2018 Combating crime and drugs programme at Bagan Datuk Square here today.
Meanwhile Ahmad Zahid commended the action of political parties, including the opposition for safeguarding the discipline of their supporters that saw no commotion or chaos taking place during the nomination day yesterday.
There were no violence or any untoward incident requiring the intervention of the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) at the 222 nomination centres nationwide, he said.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Home Minister, said he was satisfied with the nomination process at the centres including those in the interior of Sabah and Sarawak, as well as in hotspots or flash points.
"I would like to thank the Inspector-General of Police (Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun) as there were no incidents that required the PDRM to intervene during the nomination process nationwide yesterday."
"Although there were incidents involving the use of drones, that is under the purview of CAAM (Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia)," he said.
Ahmad Zahid also expressed hoped that the uneventful situation would be maintained throughout the campaigning period and during the polling day on May 9.
"I hope that all political parties will adhere to the rules and control the emotions of their followers¦ I would like to thank the PDRM for taking the initiative to engage with all political parties (and candidates) so that they will be more civil when campaigning and on the polling day," he said.
Meanwhile, commenting on reports over offensive banners sighted during the nomination process, Mohamad Fuzi said it was an isolated case as the number reported was less than 10 cases nationwide.
"We have taken the necessary action and are investigating (the matter)," he said.
-- BERNAMA
