KOTA KINABALU: Deputy President of USNO, Datuk Ibrahim Linggam, has called for the party President, Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia, to step down honourably following allegations of constitutional violations related to the suspension and removal of 12 members from the Supreme Executive Council (AMET).
According to Ibrahim, these actions were taken without adhering to the proper disciplinary processes, including the failure to establish an initial disciplinary board and to provide an appeal opportunity for the affected members.
He said that significant decisions, including the proposal to withdraw USNO from the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), were made in a meeting that allegedly did not meet the quorum requirements as stipulated by the party’s Constitution.
“The Supreme Executive Council consists of 37 members, and the minimum quorum is 19, yet the meeting on April 22 was attended by only 18 members.
“This raises questions about the validity of the decisions made,” he said in a media statement on Thursday.
Ibrahim also claimed that the meeting on May 6 was attended by only 17 members physically, while three others participated online, which he argued is not provided for in the party’s Constitution for quorum purposes.
He remarked that the suspension of leaders who challenge these decisions indicates a worrying trend of autocratic political culture within USNO.
“If the majority voice is to be silenced, then USNO is heading towards a dangerous autocratic culture,” he stated.
He emphasised that the struggle to uphold the party’s constitution is not an individual fight but rather a defence of democracy and the grassroots voice within USNO
