Putatan MP Datuk Shahelmy Yahya has signalled he may seek re-election in the upcoming Sabah state polls, despite being left out of UMNO initial list of candidates.
Shahelmy, who currently holds the Tanjung Keramat state seat, is among a number of UMNO leaders who have openly disagreed with Sabah UMNO chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin.
He now says the final decision on candidacy rests with Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
“The official watikah will be issued by the chairman of Barisan Nasional Malaysia.”
“Datuk Bung Moktar has announced another candidate for Tanjung Keramat. But that’s just an announcement,” he said during a breaking-of-fast event in Kota Kinabalu on Sunday.
Shahelmy is one of the several Sabah Umno leaders who had refused to toe party line in withdrawing their support to Sabah chief minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor during a political crisis in January 2023.
Bung has repeatedly stated that Shahelmy has been suspended by the party, but according to Shahelmy, his membership is still active when checking with the party headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.
Earlier in his speech, Shahelmy had earlier warned of his campaign machinery to prepare for the possibility of a state election with the current assembly term has near its end.
“From the machinery’s side, they are ready to face any possibility of the state assembly being dissolved,” he said.
“Preparations are continuously being improved from time to time so that everything is in place when the time comes.”
Asked if his remarks were a sign he intended to contest again, he said: “Something like that – but let’s keep that story for when the time comes.”
He added that no formal discussions have taken place with Zahid regarding his candidacy.
“No, we’ve only bumped into each other in Parliament – that’s all.”
Shahelmy appears reserved to reveal more details when questioned that he risked to lose federal seat if he decides to contest in another political ticket.
“These are assumptions or questions people have about my status.
“As of now, I am both the assemblyman for Tanjung Keramat and the MP for Putatan.
“As for whether I will contest again and under which party’s ticket – I’ll announce that later.” – March 23, 2025
