KUALA LUMPUR – An Umno veteran has denied rumours that some Selangor leaders of the party would emulate former state chief Tan Sri Noh Omar’s move to join Bersatu, as claimed by certain quarters.
Speaking to Scoop, the party’s veteran secretary-general, Datuk Mustapha Yaakub, said he has not heard any news about such possible defections.
“I did not hear about Umno Selangor top leaders defecting from the party, and this will not happen.
“In the case of Noh Omar, he was sacked from Umno and therefore had the rights and freedom to join any political party.
“He has made the choice (to join Bersatu), and we respect his decision,” said Mustapha when contacted.
Noh announced two days ago that he had joined Bersatu following his sacking from Umno last year for breaching party discipline during the 15th general election (GE15).
He said that he had applied for the party’s membership online and was immediately accepted.
Noh explained that his decision to join Bersatu stemmed from his disappointment with the treatment of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
This sentiment arose after the Kuala Lumpur High Court dismissed Najib’s application for a judicial review regarding the alleged addendum order by the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong, which would have permitted Najib to serve the remainder of his jail sentence under house arrest.
Following this, there were rumours that Umno Selangor division leaders might follow in Noh’s footsteps after the court decision on Najib.
Commenting further, Mustapha said that Umno veterans consistently monitor the party’s direction to ensure continuous progress and relevance in achieving its goals of serving the people.
The party’s veteran group also stays informed about discussions among the party’s leadership, including rumoured claims of party defections.
“We know everything since our (veteran) representatives are in every (state’s party division as ‘ex-officio’).
“Therefore, I deny that there are party leaders that would defect as claimed, as we have never heard about this at all before this,’’ he added. – July 7, 2024