CRACKS in Sepanggar Umno are showing, as the division’s Youth wing questions Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Abdul Rahman Dahlan over the “lack of respect” shown towards the federal seat’s incumbent, Jumat Idris.

Rahman, currently the Kota Belud MP, has been tipped to contest in Sepanggar in the 14th general election to replace Jumat, who was suspended by Umno in 2015 following his criticism and questioning of several matters.

Rahman is said to have been holding functions in the constituency without inviting Jumat, and this was questioned by Umno Youth member Ramlan Awal in a post on the Sepanggar Umno Youth Facebook page.

“What is the relevance of an Umno MP with a minister’s position planning his political steps, while turning his back on another fellow Umno member (Jumat)?” he said in the post yesterday.

“All the programmes carried out in Sepanggar have (been held) without the invitation and presence of the real Sepanggar MP.”

Jumat’s suspension followed his criticism of the Eastern Sabah Security Command, and his questioning of the succession of Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman.

Jumat was among the group of eight Umno division chiefs who met Umno president and Prime Minister Najib Razak in July 2014 to discuss Musa’s leadership and succession plans.

It is learnt that during Najib’s visit to Sabah last week, a meeting was held to gather the views of Umno division members on the candidacy of Rahman and Jumat.

Rahman, on February 25, had denied that his presence at various events in the constituency, where he announced allocations, had anything to do with his attempt to run in the seat.

He had said he wanted to develop Sepanggar in line with his portfolio as minister in charge of the Economic Planning Unit.

Jumat has been rumoured to join the state opposition Parti Warisan Sabah, led by his friend and former Umno man Mohd Shafie Apdal, but has denied this, saying he would stay put in Barisan Nasional.

However, talk on the ground is rife that those loyal to Jumat will vote for the opposition if he is replaced by Rahman as candidate. – March 6, 2018.