Seven barred from Penang Umno polls for 'sabotage'

Seven candidates including a former Penang deputy chief minister and a former assemblyperson have been barred from contesting for various positions in Umno.

The list of banned candidates for Penang was announced by state Umno secretary Musa Sheikh Fadzir (left).

Former DCM Abd Rahid Abdullah, who is contesting for the Nibong Tebal division chief’s post, and former Sungai Dua assemblyperson Jasmin Mohamed, who is vying for the Tasek Gelugor chief’s post, have been barred pending investigations.

State Umno liaison chief Zainal Abidin Osman has won the Nibong Tebal division chief post uncontested.

When asked the reasons for their suspension, Musa said, “For sabotaging the party in the last (May 5) general election”.

“Investigations are still on-going but these individuals are not allowed to contest,” he added during a press conference at Menara Umno today.

The other five are Mahamad Tahir Yusof (contesting for Tasek Gelugor chief’s post) and Dr Md Rozi Yusof,  Salmah Ahmad, Azmidy Mohamad and Rahim Che Noor, who are all contesting for the Tasek Gelugor committee members’ posts.

Tasek Gelugor was a headache for Umno in the last polls as its candidate was challenged by veteran leader Shariff Omar in a three-cornered fight with PAS.

Those banned from contesting in the internal Umno election are most likely aligned to Shariff, also a former Penang DCM, who had declared himself “Pakatan friendly” during that time.

[More to follow]