KAMPUNG Sum-Sum Umno member Haslihelmy DM Zulhasli has been stripped of his Umno membership effective today after contesting the Pelangai state seat by-election as an independent candidate.

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Haslihelmy had been automatically dropped as a member for contesting as an independent.

“Since he (Haslihelmy) has decided to contest as an independant, his membership in Umno has been automatically revoked starting today,” he told reporters when asked about the businessman’s fate after he turned up at the Felda Kemasul community hall to file his nomination papers on Saturday.

It was reported yesterday that Haslihelmy was prepared to enter the race to contest the Pelangai state seat by-election as an independent candidate, despite facing the prospect of getting sacked from Umno.