EC deputy chief now denies he's an Umno member

Six days after admitting to being an Umno member, Election Commission (EC) deputy chairperson Wan Ahmad Wan Omar today changed his tune, stressing that he had never joined the ruling party.

"I strongly deny that I am an Umno member and I have never registered as one as alleged by PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution, who has malicious intentions in attacking my dignity and damaging the credibility of the EC," he said in a statement today.

The allegation was made by Saifuddin, who last Wednesday  said both EC chairperson Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof and Wan Ahmad (right) belonged to Umno.

The next day, Wan Ahmad admitted to being a Umno member a long time ago but he could not recall in which division.

However, he asserted that he had never taken part in party activities or meetings, stressing that he did not know if he was still a party member.

On the other hand, Abdul Aziz said although he never applied or registered to be a Umno member, he could not rule out the possibility that his name is listed.

"I cannot remember at all when and where I became a member of Umno, it could have been anyone who enrolled me after I graduated from university, in the early 1970s," he told a newspaper.

Subsequently Saifuddin released more information, claiming Abdul Aziz is registered at Umno's Ampang division, while his deputy Wan Ahmad is with Pasir Mas.

'I'm not from Kelantan and have never lived in Pasir Mas'

In the statement issued today, Wan Ahmad said Saifuddin had made a "big lie" against him because the Pasir Mas Umno member Saifuddin named is another person having the same name as him.

"I am not from Kelantan and I have never lived in Pasir Mas or any other place in Kelantan," he said the statement.

Wan Ahmad also provided details of the Umno member who shares his name as follows:

Wan Ahmad Bin Wan Omar
I/C no: 490101-03-5179 (old I/C no: 2756290)
Umno membership no: 2374564
Branch: Kubang Bunggor, Pasir Mas, Kelantan

"I wish to say that I am from Terengganu and not Kelantan, and my identity card number is not as above," he added.

Wan Ahmad called on Saifuddin to make him an open apology because the allegation was a lie and a serious slander to damage his good name and integrity as EC deputy chairperson.

"This politically-motivated action only aims to damage the credibility of the EC as a free and independent body formed under Article 114 of the Federal Constitution.

"Saifuddin must be held responsible for his lie," he said.