KUALA LUMPUR: Umno has agreed to initiate legal action against Rembia assemblyman Datuk Muhammad Jailani Khamis, who has switched his allegiance to join Pas.
Umno secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, in a press conference at the Umno Supreme Council Meeting tonight, said the legal action aims to claim RM100 million in compensation, as stipulated in the agreement against representatives who have left and betrayed the party's stance.
On July 16, Pas secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan announced that Rembia assemblyman Datuk Muhammad Jailani Khamis has officially joined Pas.
Takiyuddin said Jailani became a member of the party in June last year, after an application made by the latter on June 10.
On July 17, Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi told Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh to decide on the next course of action against Jailani.
Commenting on the upcoming Nenggiri by-election scheduled for Aug 17, Asyraf said all Umno supreme council members will coordinate the party's and Barisan Nasional's machinery operations at each polling district centre.
"This coordination of the party's machinery will begin with the nomination day on Aug 3," he said.
The by-election is being held after the seat was declared vacant following the sacking of its holder, Mohd Azizi Abu Naim, from Bersatu.
BN operations director for the Nenggiri by-election, Datuk Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub, previously announced that Kelantan Umno Youth chief Mohd Azmawi Fikri Abdul Ghani would be Barisan Nasional's candidate for the seat.
Meanwhile, Umno condemned the brutal assassination of former Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, in Tehran.
"The killing of the top Hamas leader, who played a crucial role in ceasefire efforts for peace in Gaza, demonstrates the madness of Zionist Israel, which continues its genocide against the Palestinians.
"Umno is committed to supporting the Palestinian struggle and stands in solidarity with our brothers in Hamas, Fatah and all Palestinians who have long been oppressed and deprived of their rights by Zionist Israel," he said.
Asyraf said Umno, through its representatives in the unity government, will continue to advocate for rights for the Palestinians.
Among other actions, he said they would demand justice on the international stage so that Israel's brutality is punished as harshly as possible by the world community and countries that sincerely love peace and justice.