Will Shahelmey automatically lose his seats if he quits Umno?

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Shahelmey would automatically forfeit both his state and parliamentary seats if he resigns from Umno.

Datuk Shahelmey Yahya, a suspended Umno member, faces a significant consequence under the anti-hopping law should he choose to resign from the party. This legislation dictates that any elected representative who resigns from their political party will automatically be disqualified from holding their current seats. Consequently, Shahelmey would lose both his state seat of Tanjung Keramat and his parliamentary seat of Putatan.
The Anti-Hopping Law Provisions

The anti-hopping law specifically addresses the scenario of elected officials switching party allegiances or resigning from their party. Under its provisions, such an action triggers an automatic vacation of the elected office. This means that Shahelmey cannot voluntarily leave Umno without simultaneously vacating both the state legislative assembly seat he holds in Tanjung Keramat and the parliamentary seat for Putatan.
Implications for Contesting Under a New Ticket

While Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor has indicated that Shahelmey may contest the upcoming state election under a Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) ticket, this possibility is contingent on his current party status. If Shahelmey were to contest under a different banner, it would implicitly signify his departure from Umno. The anti-hopping law would then come into effect, leading to the forfeiture of his existing seats. This creates a complex situation where defending his current position would necessitate leaving his party and, by law, losing his seats.
Previous Defiance and Suspension

Shahelmey's current predicament stems from his past actions within Umno. In January 2023, he was among five Umno assemblymen who defied a party directive from Sabah leader Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin to withdraw support for Hajiji's government. This defiance led to a six-year suspension from Umno, rendering him ineligible to contest the election under the party's banner. Despite this, he was subsequently appointed Deputy Chief Minister III and given the state Works Ministry portfolio, an elevation that occurred after the aforementioned political maneuver.

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Will Shahelmey automatically lose his seats if he quits Umno?

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