Kalabakan Wanita Umno to hold re-election on Nov 16

(The Star) – Kalabakan Umno Wanita division that was hit by resignations almost immediately after last month’s party polls has been ordered to hold re-elections on Nov 16.

However, all 14 of the 15 elected members, who resigned in protest over the election process, would not be allowed to contest, Kalabakan Umno division chief Datuk Abdul Ghapur Salleh said.

He said the Umno supreme council made the decision for the 14 vacancies to be filled through an extra-ordinary general meeting this Saturday.

They will be holding the meeting and we will abide by the decision of the supreme council, Ghapur said.

The 14 elected members, led by Suriyani Lamai announced their sudden resignations on Oct 16, four days after they won various positions in the committee during the elections that saw incumbent chief Datuk Hamisa Samad losing to Cahaya Sulaiman while the vice-chief’s post was won by Noraini Abdul Ghapur.

Hamisa’s faction claimed that while 825 Wanita delegates were entitled to vote, only 764 attended the Oct 12 meeting.

Hamisa’s faction, however, lodged a complaint over the results, claiming there was an excess of 47 ballots.

Hamisa had obtained 384 votes compared to 417 by Cahaya while there were 10 spoilt votes.

Apart from Suriyani, other Kalabakan Wanita Umno executive members who quit were Hindun Abu Bakar Titingan, Masnah Lama, Astika Tahir, Nurida AbuBakar, Zainab @ Jainab Ali, Shaniah Sampar, Norizan Omar, Juo Amin, Fatimah Abdullah, Sofiah Daud, Asiah Indobeche and Muliati Engkeng.