Jumat remains loyal to BN, to help Sepanggar GE machinery defend seat
KOTA KINABALU, April 29 (Bernama) -- The incumbent for the Sepanggar parliamentary seat Datuk Jumat Idris tonight declared his commitment to the struggle of Barisan Nasional (BN) even though his membership with UMNO was suspended.
Jumat, who is the former Sepanggar division UMNO head, said he would give his absolute support to the BN machinery in Sepanggar to help the coalition retain the seat.
Jumat declared his stand before an audience of about 3,000 supporters here tonight, in reply to earlier speculation that he would contest on an opposition ticket in Sepanggar.
"I am a BN man, and my heart is still with BN... I am loyal to the party and the proof is my seat in Parliament was still with BN until dissolution. So, nobody should question my loyalty.
"Even though I have not been nominated for this general election, I will continue my membership in BN until I the suspension (by UMNO) is lifted," he said.
Also present at the event were Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Dr Seri Salleh Said Keruak, who is also the Deputy Head of the Sabah UMNO Liaison committee and BN candidate for the Karambunai state seat, Datuk Jainab Ahmad Ayid.
Jumat also urged his supporters to support BN and the candidate who has been chosen by the party for the Sepanggar parliamentary seat, Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan, to ensure continuity of development in the constituency.
"We have to accept...my struggle is not a personal one but for the people of Sepanggar... we have to stand with BN to build a better future," he said.
In GE13, Jumat won the Sepanggar seat with a majority of 9,442 votes.
In GE14, Abdul Rahman (BN-UMNO) will be challenged by Warisan candidate Mohd Azis Jamman, Jeffrey Kumin (SAPP) and Robert Sopining (PCS).
-- BERNAMA
