Here’s proof you must pay RM100mil for defecting, Asyraf tells rogue Umno rep

The Umno secretary-general says Rembia assemblyman Jailani Khamis had signed an agreement when he was a BN candidate before the 2021 Melaka state election.

(FMT) – Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki has rejected Rembia assemblyman Jailani Khamis’s claims that he is not bound by any party agreement after joining PAS.

Asyraf said every Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate, whether they are from Umno, MIC or MCA, had signed an agreement before participating in general and state elections.

In a TikTok video, he displayed the original agreement signed by BN candidates prior to the 2021 Melaka state election.

“This document is stamped by the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN), signed by a commissioner for oaths and witnessed by witnesses. This is Jailani’s signature,” he said, pointing at the evidence in the document.

Asyraf said that Jailini also signed a statutory declaration (SD), which required candidates to resign from BN, Umno and their assemblyman positions, as well as repay RM100 million if they defected.

“(Defecting) has consequences. We have a precedent where (former Ampang MP) Zuriada Kamaruddin, who defected from PKR, was ordered by the court to repay RM10 million,” he said, referring to the High Court’s decision on June 23 last year.

“But in BN’s contract, it’s not RM10 million, but RM100 million.”

He added that Section 20.11 of the party’s constitution clearly stipulated that members would automatically lose membership if they joined another party or become an independent.

“So, think carefully. It’s too late to reconsider once the damage is done. We will meet in court,” he said.

Meanwhile, Jailani said in a statement that he is ready to contest the matter in court.

“I am prepared to expose and oppose every underhand tactic by Umno that is not in accordance with the law and the constitution for the benefit of the public and other members,” he said.

On Thursday, Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh claimed that Jailani has to pay RM100 million to Umno for breaching an agreement he signed as a Barisan Nasional candidate for the 2021 Melaka state election.

Akmal, who is also the Merlimau assemblyman, said the agreement signed by all candidates included a clause that elected assemblymen would have to pay RM100 million to Umno if they were to defect to another party.

On Tuesday, PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan told a press conference Jailani had joined the Islamic party in June 2023. Jailani, who joined Umno from PKR, had been suspended from Umno some time last year.

Takiyuddin said Jailani did not need to vacate his seat as he joined PAS before Melaka’s anti-hopping laws were enacted in July 2023.