The Malaysian Insight

ZAMBRY Abdul Kadir has dared Dr Noor Azmi Ghazali to resign as Bagan Serai MP, as he had won the seat on a Barisan Nasional ticket.

The Perak Umno liaison committee chairman said Dr Noor Azmi should put his popularity to the test after deciding to leave Umno.

“He needs to do that (resign) if he thinks he is so popular. But, he will say he cannot contest again as there are election rules disallowing him from contesting for the next five years,” he said at an Umno function in Perak.

The former menteri besar said he is disappointed by Dr Noor Azmi’s decision to quit Umno, adding that rumours that he was sabotaged by the party are false.

“For me, it is a very disappointing decision. He should have discussed it with me first.

“He did not think about anyone else, he thought only about himself.

“He won because of Umno’s name, and the people trusted him under the BN banner. Now, he is using various excuses as reasons for quitting.”

Dr Noor Azmi announced his decision yesterday, making him the first Umno MP to leave the party since the 14th general election.

Zambry said Dr Noor Azmi should realise that not everyone in Pakatan Harapan would readily accept him.

“We will see the response from Amanah and PKR, which has been harsh to him, if they will now accept him or not.

“I will leave this matter to the people, to judge the true colours of such leaders. I hope this incident will be a lesson to all lawmakers.”

Dr Noor Azmi, who is a medical doctor by profession, has said he is now an independent, but plans to join Bersatu at a later date.

Deputy Prime Minister and PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail has applauded Dr Noor Azmi’s decision, saying it should be respected.

On May 9, Dr Noor Azmi defended the Bagan Serai seat by only 172 votes. In the 2013 elections, he had won with a 1,140-vote majority. – June 25, 2018.