Barisan parties agree to stick to convention of Umno president as coalition chairman

PUTRAJAYA: Barisan Nasional parties unanimously agree to continue with the convention that the chairmanship of the coalition is held by the Umno president, says its secretary-general Tan Sri Annuar Musa (pic).

He said this was decided at the coalition's supreme council meeting held last month.

“At the Barisan meeting last month, it was unanimously set that as per convention and consensus, the Umno president is Barisan chairman, ” he said in a Twitter posting.

Although there is no mention of what the tweet was referring to, it is understood that Annuar was responding to talk of a push for Datuk Seri Najib Razak to be appointed as chairman of the coalition again.

Najib held the post throughout the years he was Umno president until he resigned from the post in 2018 following Barisan’s loss in GE14.

It is understood that Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had, in the past, offered to appoint Najib to the post but the coalition decided against it.

Najib is currently the Barisan adviser.

Talk of Najib holding the post emerged after Sungai Besar Umno chief Datuk Seri Jamal Md Yunos was quoted as saying that the idea of the former prime minister holding a more important post in the party was seen as relevant in strengthening Umno and Barisan.

“This is crucial in facing the next general election. As adviser, Najib’s role is limited. While traditionally the Umno president is Barisan chairman, I believe this appointment can be made.

“If this is done, it will allow the Umno president more opportunity to focus on strengthening Umno for the 15th general election” he was quoted as saying.

BN dalam mesyuarat Dewan Tertingginya bulan lalu telah menetapkan sebulat suara bahawa secara konvensyen dan konsensus,PRESIDEN UMNO adalah PENGERUSI BARISAN NASIONAL. — Annuar Musa (@AnnuarMusa) June 1, 2020