More than 300 Semporna UMNO leaders quit party

Semporna UMNO division vice-chief Datuk Dr Jaujan Sambakong, leaders of three wings and 300 branch chiefs quit the party today.

The decision was made after the Semporna UMNO division committee meeting chaired by Jaujan, who is also the state assemblyman for Sulabayan.

It followed the UMNO Supreme Council decision to suspend vice-president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Afdal, who is also Semporna UMNO division chief.

Present at the meeting was Semporna UMNO Youth chief Mohd Aziz Jamman, Wanita UMNO chief Manis Muka Dara and Puteri UMNO chief Zakiah Kalipunya.

The two committee members absent at the meeting were Mohd Shafie who is performing 'umrah' and deputy chief Datuk Nasir Tun Sakaran.

Jaujan told a press conference the decision was made because Semporna division disagreed with the Supreme Council decision to suspend Mohd Shafie.

"The suspension of Mohd Shafie is considered abuse of power by the Supreme Council which made the decision in haste."

He said Mohd Shafie was also not given any opportunity to defend himself via a show cause letter.

Semporna UMNO division has 481 branch chiefs.