Shahelmey says he has yet to receive official letter on Umno suspension

PUTATAN - Putatan MP Datuk Shahelmey Yahya said he has yet to receive an official letter from Umno on his six-year suspension from the party.

Shahelmey, who is also the Tanjung Keramat assemblyman, said he was informed of the suspension by Sabah Umno chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin on May 14.

"I will just hold to what Datuk Bung said, that my membership was suspended for six years.

"Honestly, I have yet to receive any letter. I could ask Datuk Bung," he told reporters here today.

Shahelmey said he would focus on the task at hand first when asked how he would face the next state election with his current status.

"There's still time (for the state election), two more years. Stay calm, do our work first," he said.

Bung Moktar had announced Shahelmey's suspension on March 18, following the latter's action to sign a sworn declaration (SD) supporting Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor as Sabah Chief Minister during the political turmoil in January.

Shahelmey, along with three other Umno assemblymen -- Datuk James Ratib (Sugut), Datuk Jasnih Daya (Pantai Dalit) and Datuk Mohd Arsad Bistari (Tempasuk) -- had acted against the decision of the Sabah Umno leadership to withdraw support from Hajiji.

However, in February, James, Janish and Mohd Arsad announced that they would leave Umno to join Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat).

It is unclear whether Shahelmey will face any disciplinary action from Umno for his continued support of Hajiji.