Umno sacks leaders dropped from polls line-up

Umno has sacked the four leaders dropped from Barisan Nasional's (BN) election line-up who are contesting the Nov 19 polls as independents or under the banner of another coalition. 

In a statement, Umno secretary-general Ahmad Maslan said Zahidi Zainul Abidin, Shahidan Kassim, Ismail Abd Muttalib and Azhar Ahmad had been sacked in line with Clause 20:11 of the party's constitution.

"This states that any member who contests and leaves the party, or contests as an independent or for a rival party at an election will lose his or her membership," he said. 

He said their positions at the Umno division level would be assumed by their deputies. 

"Umno also wishes to stress that several other members, including those who were seen escorting these four during the nomination process in what could be described as a show of support for the candidates of other parties, are currently being investigated ahead of further action to be taken," he said. 

Zahidi is running as an independent candidate for Padang Besar while Shahidan is defending his Arau seat under the Perikatan Nasional (PN) banner. 

Ismail, who is also standing under PN, recently announced that he had joined PAS, while Azhar is contesting the Kuala Perlis state seat. 

Their names had been axed from the BN line-up in what was seen as a removal of leaders who were not aligned with Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.