KOTA KINABALU – Former Sepanggar Umno division chief Datuk Jumat Idris has been appointed Sabah Umno assistant secretary effective yesterday, said state party chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin.
Bung Moktar, who is also Sabah deputy chief minister I, said Jumat is a suitable candidate to take on the task to help Sabah Umno secretary Datuk Jafry Ariffin, whom, he added, is being kept busy as state tourism, culture and environment minister.
“I am confident that he (Jumat) will be able to carry out this task based on his experience and dedication to Umno since it was established in Sabah,” he said in a statement here today.
Jumat’s membership in the party was suspended in 2015 by then chief minister and Sabah Umno chief Tan Sri Musa Aman.
Jumat was Sepanggar MP and BN Sepanggar division chairman at the time.
It came about after he shared on social media calling for a change in party leadership, referring to Musa.
Following his suspension, Jumat was dropped from a list of candidates for the Sepanggar seat before the 2018 general election.
However, Jumat contested in Darau state seat last year under Barisan Nasional’s ticket, but lost to Warisan candidate Azhar Matussin.
Jumat was appointed to his latest post after predecessor Awang Aslee Lakat was made Sabah Umno executive secretary following the resignation of Datuk Kadzim M. Yahya, who was appointed Sabah state legislative assembly speaker in October. – The Vibes, February 1, 2021.
