ISKANDAR PUTERI: Johor Umno has seen a change in leadership at 11 of 26 divisions that were being contested, says the party’s state secretary Datuk Samsolbari Jamali.
He said that results for 25 of the divisions have been announced with the latest one released this evening for the Batu Pahat division.
“For the Johor Baru division, the election has been suspended by the Umno central election committee (JPU) following claims that there were more voting papers compared with the number of voters.
“Currently, the results for 25 divisions have been released and the JPU will be announcing the date for the Johor Baru division election,” he told reporters when met after the state assembly sitting here on Sunday (March 19).
He said that among divisions that have seen a change in its chiefs include Batu Pahat, Pontian, Tanjung Piai, Tebrau, Simpang Renggam and Muar.
Among notable results in the election include former mentri besar Datuk Seri Hasni Mohammad losing to Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan in the Pontian division.
Also failing to retain his division chief position was state Speaker Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi who lost to Zaidi Japar in Batu Pahat.
When asked to comment on big names who were defeated, Samsolbari said that it was a normal thing in any competition.
“There is a quota for each division chief to appoint eight committee members from the respective divisions. It will be up to those who have won or the division chief if they want to make an appointment,” he said.
He added that as the election season had come to an end, the focus should now be on ensuring the strength and well-being of the party.
