Shahelmey's future in Sabah Umno remains unknown, yet to receive updates

KOTA KINABALU - Tanjung Keramat assemblymen Datuk Shahelmey Yahya says he will give his full attention in serving the people.

The Barisan Nasional (BN) assemblyman further said he is still an Umno member and has not received any letter from his party to state otherwise.

"Now is the time to serve the people and not to play politics.

"We can be in politics again when it's time to vote. We will wait another two and a half years," the Sabah’s deputy chief minister told reporters when asked about Umno unanimously approving a motion to amend the constitution to automatically revoke membership of any assemblyman or parliament member who joins another pact that Umno is not part of last Friday.

Sugut assemblyman Datuk James Ratib also echoed the stance to continue working for the people.

"Right now we haven't received any measures or anything, so let's just wait. As Datuk Bung (Sabah Umno leader, Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin) said 'the game is still on', so let us wait to see what he means.

He further said that his party including four other assemblymen from BN were ready for the party's decision.

"Whatever measures they give us, we accept it as they are," he said, adding that he welcomes any decision from the party, including being suspended.

Prior to that, Shahelmey and James were among the five BN assemblymen who were against Sabah Umno's actions to withdrew support for Sabah chief minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.

As a result of BN's action, Sabah went through a political crisis and it further led to a Cabinet reshuffle where Shahelmey was appointed as deputy chief minister and public works minister after Bung Moktar was dropped from both positions.

James replaced Shahelmey as community development and people's wellbeing minister.

The other three assemblymen were Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob (Sindumin), Datuk Jasnih Daya (Pantai Dalit) and Datuk Mohd Arsad Bistari (Tempasuk).