KUALA LUMPUR: The mass exodus of Umno Sabah leaders is a wake up call that something urgent needs to be done to ensure the party’s survival, Wanita Umno chief Datuk Dr Noraini Ahmad said.
She said party leaders and members need to maintain motivation to continue the party’s struggles and ensure its survival.
Noraini, who is Parit Sulong member of parliament, said what happened in Sabah showed Umno members were losing motivation and the party leadership needed to find the root cause immediately.
“Once we find the root cause we must resolve it quickly.
“Everyone in Umno needs to reflect on what is going on and find a holistic solution to strengthen our party,” she said in a statement.
Noraini said while it had been anticipated that many Umno leaders in Sabah were going to quit the party, she hoped it was not a reflection of what the grassroots in the state wanted.
“I hope what happened in Sabah today will not cripple the party there.
“The Umno leadership will not remain silent but take a proactive approach in handling this issue,” Noraini said, adding she hoped the relations between Umno Sabah leaders and the federal level which had been established since 1991 would not end after what happened today.
It was reported that five members of parliament and nine state assemblymen from Sabah announced their departure from Umno effective today.
The MPs were Datuk Azizah Mohd Dun (Beaufort), Datuk Abdul Rahim Bakri (Kudat), Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee (Beluran), Datuk Zakaria Idris (Libaran) and Yamani Hafez Musa (Sipitang).
The assemblymen were Datuk Musbah Jamli (Tempasuk), Datuk Japlin Akin (Usukan), Datuk Hajiji Mohd Noor (Sulaman), Datuk Ghulam Haidar Khan Bahadar (Kawang), Datuk Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif (Membakut), Datuk Isnin Aliasnih (Klias), Datuk Matbali Musbah (Lumadan), Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun (Karanaan) and Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan (Apas).
The two Sabah Umno senators, Datuk John Ambrose and Datuk Ghani Yassin also left the party.
A majority of division heads also joined the exodus.