Umno MPs should quit and stand in by-elections, says Kit Siang

PETALING JAYA: Umno MPs, who have quit their party, should resign and seek a new mandate from their constituencies, DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang said today.
The MP for Iskandar Puteri agreed with new Wanita Umno chief Dr Noraini Ahmad that former Puteri Umno chief Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin should resign as MP for Masjid Tanah.
Mas Ermieyati was the latest Umno MP to quit the party, citing her disappointment at the party election in retaining the old guards instead of choosing reforms.
Two other Umno MPs had left the party to become independent MPs, Bukit Gantang MP Syed Abu Hassin Hafiz Syed Abdul Faisal and Bagan Serai MP Noor Azmi Ghazali.
"I am in fact very touched by the reasons given by Mas Ermieyati for leaving Umno," Lim said in a statement today.
"It reminds me of what another outstanding scion of Umno, (Tan Sri) Syed Hamid Syed Albar, who said a few days ago that Umno today 'is not the party I once knew as it has become a selfish party that strives for its own survival and gain, and cares little or not at all for the rakyat"."
Lim said he does not think Mas Ermieyati would have qualms over seeking a new mandate as an act of principle, but the Malaysian Constitution must be amended first to allow her to re-contest in such a by-election.
At present, she is barred from recontesting for five years in the event of her resignation as Article 48(6) of the Constitution.
Lim said he would support Mas Ermieyati contesting against Umno in a one-to-one contest, and for Pakatan, Harapan to stay out of the Masjid Tanah by-election.