Datuk Shahelmy Yahya has vowed to defend his Tanjung Keramat seat in the upcoming Sabah state election, despite Sabah UMNO already naming a different candidate for the constituency. 

This put him at odds with his party’s leadership.

Shahelmy, who is also the Putatan MP, confirmed his intention to contest but refrained from disclosing whether he would run under a different ticket. 

“I’ll answer that in detail when the right time comes. For now, I would contest,” he said in a brief response to queries about his plans on Sunday. 

Shahelmy had earlier greeted his constituents during a walkabout in conjunction with the Chinese New Year.  

This come as the Sabah Barisan Nasional and state Umno chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin also performed a similar activity in the other part of town – at Gaya Street in Kota Kinabalu, the same day. 

His position underscores a tension within UMNO, which has already identified Jeffery Nor Mohamed, Putatan UMNO chief, as its candidate for Tanjung Keramat. 

Jeffrey’s candidacy was announced by Bung himself on October 26, last year at an Umno function in the constituency. 

This announcement leaves Shahelmy, one of five UMNO dissenters who previously supported Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor during a political crisis in January 2023, without the party’s backing.

Shahelmy’s challenge lies not just in defending Tanjung Keramat but also in navigating the legal and political consequences of his decisions. 

The Putatan parliamentary constituency, which he represents, comprises the state seats of Tanjung Keramat and Petagas. 

If he contests under a different ticket or as an independent, Malaysia’s anti-party hopping law could see his parliamentary seat declared vacant, triggering a by-election.

The law does, however, provide a loophole: if UMNO were to expel him before he switches affiliations, Shahelmy could retain his Putatan seat and run without breaching the legislation.

Shahelmy’s current predicament stems from his decision to side with Sabah chief minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), defying UMNO’s stance during a power tussle in Sabah in early 2023. 

The move branded him and four other UMNO assemblymen as “traitors” by party chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, who had earlier today vowed that dissenters would not be fielded in the upcoming polls.

Despite the friction, Shahelmy has remained steadfast, reiterating his commitment to his constituents and their welfare. 

“We are always prepared to engage with the people, explaining initiatives that directly impact them. InsyaAllah, we will defend the Tanjung Keramat seat,” he said.

Shahelmy now faces a difficult choice: risk his parliamentary seat to defend his state constituency or secure his position in Putatan while relinquishing Tanjung Keramat. – January 26, 2025