KUALA LUMPUR: In a bid to ensure its focus and the workings of party machinery are properly coordinated in preparation for the coming six state polls, Umno has appointed several supreme council members and ministers as "foster fathers" for the states involved.
Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, who is also Defence Minister, will head the state election machinery in Negri Sembilan, vice-president Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid in Kedah, vice-president Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, who is also Higher Education Minsiter, in Terengganu.
Apart from that, Barisan Nasional secretary-general Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, who is also of Affairs Minister will take charge in Kelantan, supreme council member Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, who is also Law and Institutional Reform Minister in Penang and International Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz in Selangor.
"The supreme council has agreed that Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican will be the (overall) coordinator of the state election operations for the six states," he said in his closing speech for the 2022 Umno Annual General Assembly at the Kuala Lumpur World Trade Centre here on Saturday (Jan 14).
The Barisan chairman said that apart from Mohamad, who is also the Rembau MP, will still continue with his duty as Barisan election director and war room chairman for the polls in the six states.
"We must give our trust to Tok Mat (Mohamad) to carry out his duties from now. The six ministers and vice-presidents I appointed earlier... I'm in charge of ensuring everyone performs, including Tengku Zafrul. Although he has yet to be seated on this stage, I am confident he will help ensure a big win in Selangor," he said.
Apart from that, Ahmad Zahid, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, announced that Datuk Dusuki Ahmad had been appointed chairman of the Umno Ulama Council, the formation of which was proposed when he delivered his policy speech on Friday (Jan 13).
"With this appointment, we hope the ulama (religious scholars) will be able to jointly guide our journey so that we will always be on the right path," he said.
On the proposal to set up the Umno Institute, Ahmad Zahid suggested that it be chaired by Prof Emeritus Dr Kamaruddin M. Said and assisted by Prof Datuk Dr Abdul Mua'ti @ Zambri Ahmad, with both being members of the National Council of Professors.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid again reiterated that the unity government, which Barisan is part of, was the best solution for the party to avoid being exposed to division among members.
"That way we can also face the coming state polls boldly, especially in Kelantan, Terengganu and Kedah," he said. – Bernama
