Isa bids Umno goodbye

(NST) – Former Teluk Kemang Umno chief Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad submitted a letter informing he wanted to quit Umno two days ago to enable him to contest as an Independent in the Port Dickson by-election.

According to Isa, there had been no issues between himself and Umno, a party he has been a member of for a long time.

“I am no longer a division chief and now I am free to contest. The question of getting sacked does not arise.

“Yes I am disappointed that Umno lost Negri Sembilan but that is in the past. When Umno announced it would not be fielding a candidate, I figured I have to contest because Port Dickson is my area,” he said at a press conference last night.

Isa said he was a known figure in Port Dickson, hence campaigning would not be a problem.

“But I still have to meet people (voters), eventhough people know me. It doesn’t matter how many candidates (will contest) because I am open. Everyone has a right to contest.

“Some say I am not in this to win. I am contesting because I am confident voters know me and are aware of my services because I served as Teluk Kemang Umno division chief for a long time. That is my advantage in contesting,” he said.

Aao present at the press conference were his wife Bibi Sharliza Abd Khalid, former Pasir Panjang assemblyman Datuk Saini Idris, former Linggi assemblyman Datuk Ismail Taib and some 30 supporters.