Hilmi announces his retirement from politics

GEORGE TOWN: Balik Pulau Umno division chief Datuk Seri Hilmi Yahaya today announced that he would resign from his positions in Umno and Barisan Nasional. He said the decision comes at the right time, as he has decided to retire from politics and to turn his attention to his family.
"Now this is the time for me to step down and retire from the political arena.
"I wish to ask forgiveness if I have done anything wrong during my time as representative in Balik Pulau or at the federal level," he said in a statement.
However, he also stressed that he will remain an Umno member and will continue to help the party in its struggle and cause.
Hilmi's resignation makes way for the division deputy chief, Datuk Dr Muhammad Farid Saad, to take charge of the Balik Pulau Umno division.
This decision comes after the state coalition party suffered its heaviest electoral defeat, winning only two parliamentary seats and two state seats in GE14.
Prior to the election, Hilmi served as Deputy Health Minister under then prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak.
Before he was elected as Balik Pulau MP in 2004, Hilmi was Teluk Bahang state assemblyman for three terms and held important exco positions in the Penang state government when it was led by BN.
He was defeated in the recent concluded GE14 by PKR's Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik.