ARAU: Almost 150 Umno members from its Arau division have been expelled since the 15th General Election (GE15) concluded in 2022 for allegedly betraying the party.
Among those removed were leaders at the branch level who turned their backs on the party after they were caught campaigning for the opposition party, even going so far as to wearing their attire during the campaign.
Perlis Umno liaison committee chairman Datuk Rozabil Abdul Rahman, who also Arau Umno division chief, said present list of members at the division has undergone the party's cleansing process to ensure that it is free from anyone considered a 'duri dalam daging' (a thorn in the flesh).
"However, I still believe that there are those in (Arau) Umno (division) who are still supporting the opposing parties.
"As such, I respectfully request them to leave Umno because they are not accepted by the majority of loyal party members," Rozabil said in his speech at the launching of Arau Umno Wanita, Youth and Puteri delegates conferences here today.
Present was Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Shamsul Anuar Nasarah.
Rozabil added that the party will continue its cleansing process to ensure there are no traitors in the Arau Umno division.
Although such a move will result in the reduction of party members, Rozabil said the issue will be remedied through on-going activities and programmes aimed at recruiting new members into the party.
"I am willing to start from scratch with no members at all, rather than having 1,000 members who eventually betray Umno by not voting for the party and instead throwing their support to the opposition," he said.