Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Shahelmey Yahya may soon face a political crossroads that would force him to choose between re-contesting his Tanjung Keramat state seat and remaining as Putatan MP.
This is as the suspended Umno member "has no other choice" but to contest the Sabah state election - to be held next year at the latest - as an independent candidate, or join another political party, according to Sabah Umno chairperson Bung Moktar Radin.
"The decision is in his hands, if he contests (state polls as an independent or with another party)... he must vacate his Parliament seat," Bung was quoted as saying by Berita Harian Online, citing provisions under the anti-party hopping law.
The Kinabatangan MP said if Shahelmey is forced to vacate his Putatan seat, the by-election could be held simultaneously with the state election.
Shahelmey won both seats under a BN ticket, one in the 2020 Sabah polls and the other during the 15th general election two years later.
However, last year, he was served with a six-year suspension from Umno over his refusal to withdraw support for Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor's Gabungan Rakyat Sabah-led state administration.
Wresting back seats
Bung expressed confidence that Sabah Umno can recapture both seats from Shahelmey.
"InsyaAllah, we have many potential candidates if there was to be a Putatan by-election," he added.
Aside from Shahelmey, four other Sabah Umno assemblypersons - James Ratib (Sugut), Jasnih Daya (Pantai Dalit), Mohd Arsad Bistari (Tempasuk) and Hamild Awang (Balung) - had also disobeyed Bung’s orders to withdraw support for Hajiji's administration.
They had also quit Umno after being suspended and joined GRS. - Mkini
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