Sabah UMNO has reaffirmed its stance against allowing members who defy party decisions to contest under its banner, state chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin said on Friday.

His statement came after Datuk Shahelmey Yahya confirmed that his UMNO membership was still active following checks with the party headquarters, raising the possibility of him contesting under the Barisan Nasional logo in the upcoming state election this year. 

Bung clarified that Shahelmey’s suspension was not due to his support for Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor but for “betraying the party’s struggle and mandate.”

“UMNO is a principled party and will not compromise with members who are disloyal to its cause,” Bung said, emphasizing that loyalty to UMNO requires strict adherence to party policies and decisions.

Datuk Andy Muhammad Suryady Bandy, the Tanjung Batu assemblyman, was also suspended for defying the party’s directive to withdraw support for Hajiji as Chief Minister in January 2023.

While Bung had previously stated that both were suspended, Shahelmey noted that his active membership status contradicted the claim, suggesting that Bung’s statement was the only indication of his suspension.

Bung urged UMNO’s Supreme Council to take firm action against disloyal members, stressing that the party does not need leaders who only maintain membership to qualify for election candidacy.

“UMNO Sabah is clear – we will not support any leader who has betrayed the party to contest under UMNO and Barisan Nasional in the upcoming elections,” he said.

Bung reiterated that loyalty and sincerity are core principles of UMNO, and those who fail to uphold them “have no place” in the party. – February 28, 2025