TO placate his supporters, Jumat Idris today pledged his support for his replacement Abdul Rahman Dahlan, who is the Sabah BN secretary, in the parliamentary seat of Sepanggar.

Jumat also pledged continued loyalty to Barisan Nasional, saying he was indebted to the coalition for making him leader he is today.

“Whatever i have today is all because of BN and therefore, I will remain in and support BN. “Although I have been invited to join other parties, including in the opposition, and several supporters have also suggested that I do so, after giving it much thought, I have decided to remain in the coalition,” he said.

Jumat said this to his supporters at an event held to announce which way his loyalties lie in the general election.

Sabah Umno deputy liaison chief Salleh Said Keruak and the Umno Karambunai candidate Jainab Ahmad Ayid were also present.

Jumat said BN chairman Najib Razak had called him to ask whether he still had Jumat’s support.

“I told him (Najib), I am still your man,” he said.

The decision to field Rahman has not gone down well with the grassroots and talk is rife that many Umno members will vote opposition, likely for Warisan, which is represented by its Youth chief Azis Jamman.

The two other contenders for the seat are Jeffrey Kumin (SAPP) and Robert Sopining (PCS).

Jumat, whose Umno membership was suspended for three years, had served the previous term as the Sepanggar MP as a BN independent.

His suspension is due to end this year, but when asked about his Umno membership, Jumat said: “The matter is too technical”

Meanwhile, Salleh said he had texted Najib over Jumat’s suspension, saying the Umno president also felt that Jumat’s party membership should be reinstated.

“God willing, Jumat will return to Umno,” Salleh said as the crowd cheered. – April 29, 2018.