2 more express frustration - NST

Jan 28, 2009

Datuk Hamdi Abu Bakar says any decision to jump to PR would be made collectively with other Umno reps.

IPOH: Two Umno assemblymen rumoured to be on the verge of leaving the party said more defections to the Pakatan Rakyat could not be discounted.

Datuk Ahamad Pakeh Adam says he was frustrated when told not to contest Sungai Siput division chief’s post.

After Bota state assemblymen Datuk Nasarudin Hashim quit the party for Pakatan Rakyat on Sunday, three more Umno state representatives are said to have communicated with PR leaders.

Two assemblymen told the New Straits Times they were mulling over their options if the situation in Umno did not change.

Lintang state assemblyman Datuk Ahamad Pakeh Adam and Pengkalan Baharu's Datuk Hamdi Abu Bakar said Umno had to stabilise itself in Perak and show that it cared and respected senior members serving as elected representatives.

Both Ahamad and Hamdi, who were Sungai Siput and Beruas Umno division chiefs respectively, lost their posts at divisional elections last year.
Ahamad said he was "frustrated" when told by Perak Umno liaison chief Datuk Seri Mohd Tajol Rosli Ghazali that he should not contest the Sungai Siput division chief's post.

"How can Tajol Rosli tell me not to contest the division chief's post? I am the only Barisan Nasional rep in the Sungai Siput constituency. Even Nasarudin was instructed not to contest the Parit division chief's post.

"Yes, I admit I met state PR leaders recently to discuss my deep frustration with Umno leaders' behaviour since the last general election.

"While I have not expressed my desire yet to join the PR, I may do so if things do not change for the better in Umno.

"People with money but who are not wakil rakyat have been elected as division chiefs because they were sanctioned to contest against incumbents who are elected reps," he alleged.

Ahamad said he was disappointed with the BN's policies when it was ruling the state and "impressed with the PR state government".

Hamdi, meanwhile, denied that he had met state PR leaders but admitted that, like Ahamad, he was frustrated.

"Ahamad, one or two other Umno state reps and I had discussed our frustrations with what is going on in Umno."

He also claimed that money had been used to win divisional positions in the state.

Asked if he would join the PR if his wish to see a changed Umno did not materialise, Hamdi said any decision in that regard would only be made "collectively" with other Umno members who felt the same way.

"If we jump ship to PR, we jump together. I will not do it alone, never.

"I hope incoming party president Datuk Seri Najib Razak will focus on improving ties between Umno members and stop factions within the party."