Khir Toyo suspended from all party posts

The 'Bali Castle' that brought Khir down

Former Selangor menteri besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo has been suspended from all posts in the party after being charged for corruption last week at the Shah Alam Sessions Court.

Announcing this yesterday, Umno secretary-general Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said the move had nothing to do with considerations of BN's political interests, but was provided for in the party constitution.

“There are no politics in this issue. We cannot decide as to whether Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo is right or wrong. Let the court be the one that decides on that. (On that) I cannot comment.

“But whoever is charged or awaiting a court case, we will suspend his/her position in the party. This has been done previously,” Tengku Adnan was reported as saying in Malay-language daily Sinar Harian today.

According to Tengku Adnan, who is also Putrajaya MP, similar action had been taken against other Umno members in 2009, and even though they were later found guilty of the charges, their positions were not returned to them.

Sinar Harian said Khir, who is Sungai Panjang state representative, received the letter from Umno headquarters informing him of his suspension on Dec 8, two days after the then-Sungai Besar Umno division leader was charged with graft over the sale of land on which his Balinese-style mansion now stands.

On the same day he appeared at the Shah Alam Sessions Court along with another defendant, Ditamas Sdn Bhd director Shamsuddin Haryoni, Khir had announced he was quitting from his post as Pakatan Rakyat-led Selangor's opposition leader in the state legislative assembly.

Describing the party's decision to suspend him as “usual procedure”, Khir (below) said he would abide by the suspension but will continue to cooperate, contribute and offer his services to his division now under the leadership of his former deputy, Ramli Norani.

“The people of the Sungai Panjang state constituency need not worry, as I will continue to fulfill my responsibilities as elected representative there.

“What is important is that the resolve of Barisan Nasional to take back (the state seat of) Sekinchan proceed. I am very confident that he (Ramli) will be able to continue the activities that had been planned before this.

“The (issue of my) position does not pose any problems, because it is unity that is important, and although I am no longer division leader, with the solid support of the Umno leadership at all levels, I am sure we can get back the Sekinchan seat for BN,” he added.

Ramli, 63, previously held the position of Sungai Besar Umno division treasurer from 2004 to 2009 before winning the division's deputy chief position.

“I have my deputy (to take over), so there's no need to involve outsiders, as we do not want to bring about disunity among members,” Khir said further.

Yesterday, a group of about 200 youths reportedly set up Gagasan Bertindak DUN Sungai Panjang (Sungai Panjang Action Movement - Gabus) in support of Khir and the Sungai Panjang Umno division.

Led by one Mohd Safar Abdullah, they submitted a memorandum of support to Khir said to have been signed by more than 300 “young voters”.

Safar said Gabus condemns moves by certain parties to disturb the harmony and unity of the Sungai Panjang Umno division.

“As voters, we are affected by the current situation. Because of that, we rise to launch this movement to call for the voters of Sungai Panjang state constituency and Umno members, especially, to continue supporting the leadership of Umno and Sungai Besar BN,” said Safar.