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18th June, 2012
BEAUFORT: Deputy Minister of Housing and Local Government, Datuk Lajim Haji Ukin who is also the member of parliament of Beaufort has resigned as the Umno branch chief of Kerambai Kebatu.
The announcement came not long after he revealed that he would not be defending his post as Beaufort divisional Umno chief.
He announced his decision when speaking at his 57th birthday celebration organised by the Sabah United Bisaya Association at his residence here on Saturday.
According to him, the letter of resignation was sent to the secretary of Beaufort Umno several days ago.
When he declared that he would not be defending his Beaufort Umno chief post, he authorised his deputy, Isnin Haji Aliasnih to take over.
He also cryptically said that his first step is not to defend the divisional post, second is to resign as branch chief and the third, “wait and see”.
In response to quarters challenging him to resign all posts in Umno, Lajim said he would not give in but rather he was prepared to face whatever decision made by the party leadership.
He insisted that he was still a leader of the government and that he would carry on his duties in the ruling party.
“When the time comes, I will consider the challenge. Even if I am fired, I say to anyone who is chosen as the Barisan Nasional candidate here not to confidently assume that BN or Umno are strong enough to face the 13th general election here,” he said adding that he was aware of speculations since a year ago that he would not be re-nominated as a BN candidate in the coming election.
Lajim went on to say that he will only step down when the people reject him and that should his services were no longer required in the ruling party, he was prepared to continue his struggles elsewhere.
About 5,000 people were present that Saturday and among them were Datuk Monggoh Orow, Datuk Kalakau Untol and several other PKR branch leaders.
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