KOTA KINABALU, June 28 — Despite the reported mass resignations of some 300 leaders in the Semporna Umno division yesterday, deputy chief Datuk Nasir Tun Sakaran today insisted the chapter remained "intact”.

Nasir, who is Senallang state assemblyman, pointed out that 12 of the 20 elected committee members still held their posts.

"We are intact. The division is not dissolved despite some people saying it is,” he said when contacted today.

Yesterday, it was reported that the Umno division’s vice-chief Datuk Dr Jaujan Sambakong, its Youth chief Mohd Aziz Jamman, Wanita chief Manis Muka Dara and Puteri chief Zakiah Kalipunya announced their resignation from the party following an Umno Supreme Council decision to suspend vice-president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, who is also Semporna Umno division chief.

It was then claimed that 300 branch chiefs had also resigned in protest of the party’s alleged abuse of power in suspending Shafie. Both Shafie and Nasir were absent from the event.

Nasir today said that the number of branch chief resignations was unconfirmed, but verified that the division’s vice chairman, Wanita and Youth chief quit. Zakiah has also said she was staying.

"I do not think it is as much as 300 branch chairmen, it is much less than half of that. We are still checking that as some have denied resigning,’’ he said.

Nasir, who is Shafie’s cousin, said that discussions with the party leadership on the next course of action to fill up the vacancies were ongoing.

Meanwhile, Bugaya assemblyman Datuk Ramli Marhaban claimed in a press conference here that many were duped into attending the press conference yesterday.

"We were there on an invitation for a buka puasa event. When we were told Shafie was not there, many left. Those left were asked to sign the resignation (letter). Some did it willingly while others unwittingly did it,” he said.

Ramli said that the number of those who resigned were far fewer than reported, putting it at "maybe 50” out of 515 branches in the Semporna division.

The constituency is made up of three state seats: Senallang, Sulabayan and Bugaya.

Zakiah today also released a statement saying that members in her wing respected the decision of the Umno supreme council and would stay in the party.

"We respect Shafie’s leadership but we also have to respect the final decision of the Umno supreme council. We hope that the party disciplinary board can complete their investigation into Shafie’s alleged misconduct as soon as possible so that we can move forward,’’ she said.

Aside from suspending Shafie, the Umno supreme council also sacked deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and former Kedah mentri besar Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir.