FORMER Umno strongman Tajuddin Abdul Rahman will not campaign for the party in the state polls, Free Malaysia Today reports.

The news portal said Tajuddin will be staying out after his appeals against his six-year suspension went unheeded.

The former Pasir Salak MP and former deputy minister said he had submitted four appeals after he was suspended last October.

He was previously sacked from the party’s Supreme Council.

“Why has there been no response? If you want me to campaign then lift my suspension, otherwise it would be difficult to do so with both my hands and feet tied,” he was quoted as saying in FMT.

He also said he has decided not to appeal for a fifth time.

Instead his decision is not to help Umno candidates in the polls.

Previously Tajuddin said he was suspended following his criticisms of the party leadership helmed by Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He also said the current leaders were only looking out for their own interests.

“They only want positions. They know the party is in bad shape but they don’t care. They remain just as confident (about remaining in power) as they were prior to the 15th general election.”

Tajuddin was among several leaders who were sacked or suspended from the party early this year for going against the party’s interest.

Other big names suspended included Hishammuddin Hussein and Shahril Hamdan, while those sacked included Khairy Jamaluddin, Annuar Musa and Noh Omar. – July 21, 2023.