UMNO today sacked its ex-youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin and suspended former vice-president Hishammuddin Hussein for six years.

The party also meted out a six-year suspension for former information chief Shahril Sufian Hamdan, Tebrau division chief Maulizan Bujang, and former Jempol MP Mohd Salim Shariff.

The party’s decision was announced by Umno secretary-general Ahmad Maslan in a press statement released just after midnight.

Earlier, Umno Supreme Council member Mohd Puad Zarkashi revealed the party’s decision on his Facebook page.

The decision was made at the Supreme Council meeting tonight, which affirmed recommendations by the party’s disciplinary board, he said.

Umno is punishing its errant members for their efforts against the interests of the party, including by acting to sabotage the party in the general election. 

Earlier, it was reported that former Tanjung Karang MP Noh Omar had initially been suspended for six years, but asked to be sacked instead, which the party agreed to. 

It was also reported that former Johor menteri besar Hasni Mohammad was dropped as Johor liaison chief and replaced by Khaled Nordin.

Besides Khairy and Noh, 42 other party members were also expelled – nine from the Putrajaya division, five from the Pasir Gudang division, two from the Tanjung Karang division, and 26 from Pahang.

Among their violations include contesting as independent candidates, contesting against Barisan Nasional, and helping opposing parties during the general election.

No details were given on the 42 members.

Khairy, in an immediate response to his sacking, took a jibe at the party by changing his Twitter bio to “Presiden Persatuan Lumba Basikal Negeri Sembilan (Negri Sembilan Bicycle Racing Association President)”.

He also tweeted his reaction to the decision made by the party.

“Tonight, I was sacked by the party I loved, to which I was loyal. 

“Unbowed, unbent, unbroken,” he said.

Yesterday, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the party will carry out a large-scale “cleansing” of the party, focusing on those who sabotaged the party and its candidates in the general election. – January 27, 2023.