KOTA BARU: Umno members are warned against defying the party’s supreme council decision against contesting in the Chempaka by-election.
Kelantan Umno liaison committee chairman Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said action would be taken against members who contest in the polls as independents.
"We hope that none of our members disobey the decision as if they do then they are going against the party.
"We have leaders in the party and the decision was made jointly by the supreme council," he told reporters after delivering a key-note address at a forum held ahead of the Asean Economic Ministers meeting, at Universiti Kelantan Malaysia today.
Mustapa was commenting on rumours that several Umno members will be standing in the coming by-election.
The Chempaka by-election will be held following the death of former Menteri Besar and Pas spiritual adviser Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat of prostate cancer on Feb 12. The Election Commission has fixed March 10 as nomination day and March 22 for voting.
Asked about suggestions by some parties that Umno was sitting the Chempaka by-election out because the party was afraid of losing, Mustapa said such mischievous statements ought to be ignored as they were expected.
"We made the decision in the best interest of the state.
“There are things that we have been able to co-operate (with Pas) and we are doing it for the sake of the people," he said.