Claims to have been betrayed, Tajuddin refuses suspension from Umno

 

Former Umno supreme council member Tajuddin Abdul Rahman has rejected the party’s decision to suspend his membership for six years.

Tajuddin said the claims against him were not stated clearly, and the party failed to present evidence of the allegations.

In a letter to Umno secretary-general Ahmad Maslan sighted by Malaysiakini, he acknowledged that the party’s supreme council has the power to suspend or sack a member, but the allegations made in accordance with clause 20.9 did not clearly detail the offences committed.

The suspension, according to Tajuddin, was made by Umno without any proof.

“I was not given the opportunity to defend myself for the accusations or offences (if any) against me. 

“I hereby reject the suspension of my membership with additional pointers (hujah) as contained in the attachment,” he said in the letter. 

Letter is Tajuddin’s reply to suspension

The letter dated Jan 12 is Tajuddin’s reply to a letter sent by Ahmad on Jan 6 on the suspension of the former’s membership for six years. 

In October last year, Umno decided to suspend the former Pasir Salak MP for six years, with immediate effect.

Suspended Alor Setar Umno chief Mohd Yusof Ismail

It was reported that the decision, made during the Umno supreme council meeting, also saw the same punishment being imposed on Alor Setar Umno chief Mohd Yusof Ismail. 

Sources quoted in the same report said Tajuddin was subjected to the action for his open criticism of Umno. 

Meanwhile, Tajuddin said the accusations levelled against him were based on defamation and accusations of “certain quarters”.

The plan was set in motion to bring him down and deny him the chance to be an election candidate, he said, adding that it was masterminded by some members of the Pasir Salak Umno committee and some Umno officials from the central level. 

“For Datuk Seri’s (Ahmad’s) information, I accept the decision by the leadership to not renominate me as a parliamentary candidate in the previous election with an open heart. 

“For my love for the party and for all three Pasir Salak seats to remain as Umno/BN’s, I campaigned day and night throughout the campaigning period, without stopping. 

“With this, I would like to request the supreme council to give me justice and withdraw the suspension as soon as possible,” Tajuddin added. - Mkini