KOTA KINABALU: Seven United Sabah National Organisation (USNO) members who failed to become 14th General Election (GE) candidates want the party’s top leadership to be held responsible following the loss of RM870,000 in deposits.
One of the members, who were offered to be a candidate, claimed that he had borrowed money from a loan shark.
Another four teachers, had left their government post, which means that they have now lost their source of income.
USNO Tenom division chief Norlia Yuntong said the aspiring candidates were left heartbroken after learning that the party advisor ran off with the money.
“Initially, we were told by the leadership to pay a minimum of RM3,000 to be elected as candidates for parliament and state seats.
“It is learned that some of the candidates paid more than the said amount. Some even borrowed from loan sharks, while others sold off their cars and lands in hope to contest in the GE,” she said in a press conference here.
She said those who failed to contest in the election did not discount the possibility of a conspiracy by USNO leadership.
“Although the president claimed he was not involved in the case of the missing RM870,000, as the top leader of the party, he should not remain quiet.
“I represent the candidates in seeking for justice and to identify the mastermind behind this,” she added.
Meanwhile, USNO deputy secretary-general Sharudin Sukimin said the 38-year-old man who was tasked to bring the cash to the Election Commission office here had failed to show up on Friday.
“All of us were already at the commission office at about 2pm. We became restless when the man did not show up even though the commission staff had told us that they were willing to wait until midnight (for the deposits),” he said.
USNO had lodged a police report last Saturday.