SEBERANG JAYA: Penang Umno is contemplating disciplinary action against former Umno Guar Jering Jaya branch chairman Asri Ahmad, 44, for sabotaging the party's campaign in the Permatang Pauh by-election.
This comes after he appeared in a press conference held by PKR national Youth deputy chief Dr Afif Bahardin at Yayasan Aman, near here yesterday to announce the 'dissolution' of the branch.
State Umno liaison committee chairman Datuk Seri Zainal Abidin Osman said the party would gather the necessary evidence before deciding on the next course of action.
"From the information gathered, it seems that he (Asri) was already working with PKR for this by-election campaign.
"This is clearly against the party's constitution and we will not hesitate to take a stern disciplinary action against him," he told reporters here yesterday.
On the dissolution of the Umno Guar Jering Jaya branch, Zainal Abidin explained that it was a non-issue as the move was agreed to by Umno headquarters in March following Asri's application last November.
"His (Asri's) action has no bearing on us in this by-election," he added.
Elaborating on the matter, Umno Permatang Pauh division chief Datuk Mohd Zaidi Saad said the Umno Guar Jering Jaya branch was a new branch set up by Asri after losing to Suhaimi Sabudin, Barisan Nasional's candidate for the Permatang Pauh by-election, in the contest for the Umno Guar Jering branch chairman post a few years back.
"All this stems from his (Asri’s) dissatisfaction after losing to Suhaimi ... he is only bothered about in his own personal interest. He seems to have a personal grudge against Suhaimi.
"But like what (Datuk Seri) Zainal said, this will not affect us in anyway. He is just seeking some cheap publicity.
"If fact, if he decides to leave Umno altogether, we will be more than happy.
Zaidi explained that the Umno Guar Jering Jaya branch was dissolved as it always lacked quorum during meetings.
He claimed when Asri first set up the branch, he had brought people from outside to support him.
Earlier today, Asri announced the Guar Jering Jaya Umno branch's 'dissolution', claiming that the members had been neglected by the party for years.
He claimed that the branch with 68 members was established in 2006 and never received the attention of the party leadership, which saw its dissolution.