Suspended Melaka Exco member to appeal against UMNO suspension

MELAKA Sept 15 - State Executive Councillor Datuk Wira Amid Nordin who was suspended by the UMNO Disciplinary Board for three years or one term Wednesday will submit an appeal against the decision.

"I've not been implicated with money politics, only that I was made to understand that my suspension was because I was accused of hosting functions for Kota Melaka Puteri delegates at two hotels in Melaka on July 7 and 9.

"The charge against me was not for money politics," he told reporters here.

Last July 11, Amid, the State Tourism, Culture and Heritage Committee chairman, was elected as the Kota Melaka division head, defeating former Melaka Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Rahim Tamby Chik. Amid, who has been at the helm of the division since 1997, said that he would hand over the post of division head to his deputy, Datuk Latif Tamby Chik.

"I will continue with my duties as usual as the (Telok Mas) state assemblyman," said Amid who is a former state assembly speaker. He was appointed executive councillor after winning the state seat for a second term in last March General Election.

Amid also said that the decision against him would not jeopardise the attempt by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Ali Rustam to contest for one of the three posts of vice president in the party election next week.

Meanwhile, Mohamed Ali said he hoped that Amid would remain calm in accepting the decision and to submit his appeal to the Disciplinary Board.

Mohamed Ali, who is the Melaka UMNO liaison chief, declined to comment on Amid's position in the state exco.

"I will discuss with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on Amid's position as exco member," he said when contacted here.

Arkib : Utusan Malaysia Online / 15 September 2004