Malaysia's Umno party has sacked 61 members for defying the party and contesting as independents, including the former deputy chief of its women's wing.
The party's disciplinary committee also issued three members with show-cause letters for proposing members as independent candidates and for not submitting nomination papers.
The decision was made on Monday morning by the Umno disciplinary board headed by Tengku Ahmad Rithaudeen.
Bernama reported Tengku Rithaudeen as saying said the decision was made in line with Clause 20.10 of the Umno Constitution which states that any Umno member contesting the general election as independent candidates will be expelled from the party and their membership cannot be accepted forever.
"Membership expulsion letters have been sent to those concerned," he said in a statement on Monday.
Ms Kamalia Ibrahim, the deputy chief of Wanita Umno, was expelled for contesting as an independent candidate in the Kuala Kangsar parliamentary constituency.
Among the others are Datuk Seri Shariff Omar, the former Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister, who is contesting the Tasek Gelugor parliamentary seat and Sepang Umno division Youth head Datuk Suhaimi Mohd Ghazali who is going for the Sepang parliamentary seat.
Datu Badruddin Tun Mustapha was expelled for contesting in the Semporna parliamentary and Senallang state seats.
Tengku Rithaudeen said that in addition, three Umno members would be called up this week to answer the show-cause latter why action should not be taken against them for becoming proposers, seconders or failing to submit the nomination forms on nomination day last Saturday.
"The Umno Disciplinary Board again reminds Umno members that it is ready to take action on any Umno member who sabotages the party during the campaigning period for the 13th general election.
"Stern action including expulsion and membership suspension would be taken after proofs and reports from the observers appointed had been received and investigated in detail," he said.
Tengku Rithaudeen also called on all members to be united and to support the Barisan Nasional candidates nominated to contest by the top party leadership.
Source: TheStar.com.my