[UPDATED] Umno sacks Noh Omar in massive purge

KUALA LUMPUR – Tan Sri Noh Omar said he has been sacked from Umno with immediate effect, with disciplinary action also taken against a long list of other names. 

The former six-term Tg Karang MP told reporters here that party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had read out the names of Umno members who would either be dismissed or suspended at the start of the party’s Supreme Council meeting tonight.

Noh was speaking to reporters at Umno’s headquarters, where the Supreme Council meeting is still ongoing.

Previously a council member, he said Zahid had initially announced that he would be suspended for six years. But he told the president to sack him instead. 

“How can the president suspend me when I have been summoned by the disciplinary board to meet them on January 30? What kind of jungle law is he following?” an infuriated Noh said tonight.

“I said to him, ‘no, don’t suspend, it’s better to sack me’. What's the point of being in a party that has strayed from its original struggle?

“The president said ‘if you want to be sacked, then so be it’. He said okay, with this, I am fired. I told him ‘thank you’.” 

As of press time, Umno has yet to issue an official statement on the disciplinary action taken against Noh and several other party members. 

Noh, who was also former Selangor Umno liaison chief, said Zahid did not give any justification for the disciplinary actions taken against him and a number of party members, beyond claiming that it was the decision of the disciplinary board. 

He also said he was scheduled to meet the board on Monday, but was punished even before that meeting.

“How can it be that I am punished even before my scheduled meeting on Monday with the board? That’s why I asked to be sacked. 

“The decision (sacking) has been endorsed. I am a fighter. What use am I if I am suspended, if I can no longer use the Umno platform?” 

Noh, who left the Supreme Council meeting midway following his dismissal, refused to disclose the other names Zahid had read out earlier.

The Vibes today reported party sources saying that at least three high-profile Umno leaders are among a long list of other Umno members who will face disciplinary action for allegedly tarnishing the party’s name. 

Zahid had also hinted yesterday that a massive purge can be expected within Umno, when asked by the press if former party youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin will be sacked for his recent outward conduct.

Noh's sacking today, which is part of an internal party cleansing, puts an end to the 65-year-old politician’s decades-long career in Umno, which began in 1977. 

He was dropped from contesting in the 15th general election in November, and was among party several big guns who were overlooked by the leadership allegedly because of their dissenting views. – The Vibes, January 27, 2023