JOHOR BARU: Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin is calling for unity within Johor Umno after being reappointed as its chairman following the party’s purge.
The Umno vice-president thanked party president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for having the trust in him and said that his appointment as the state party chairman came with a heavy responsibility.
The Higher Education Minister also said he appreciated the contribution made by his predecessor Datuk Seri Hasni Mohammad towards Johor Umno.
"This change of leadership is done so that I can continue the good work that Hasni has done. My priority is to ensure unity within Johor Umno is maintained.
"Not to strengthen any groups but to restore, treat and rebuild the party’s strength," he said in a statement here on Sunday (Jan 29).
The Kota Tinggi MP called upon all Johor Umno leaders to close ranks and unite for the party’s survival.
"God willing, I will not exclude or marginalise anyone. To me, all are friends and extended family of Johor Umno that would be celebrated and appreciated," he added.
Mohamed Khaled was first made Johor Umno chairman between 2013 to 2018 during his tenure as the mentri besar.
At a late night meeting on Friday (Jan 27), the Umno supreme council sacked former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin and supreme council member Tan Sri Noh Omar.
Sembrong MP Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein as well as former Umno information chief Shahril Hamdan, former Youth exco member Datuk Dr Fathul Bari Mat Jahya, former Johor state exco member and Tebrau Umno chief Datuk Maulizan Bujang and former Jempol MP Datuk Seri Mohd Salim Mohd Shariff were also suspended for six years.
