Appointment of those lost in Umno polls is part of move to strengthen party, says Zahid

KUALA LUMPUR: The decision to appoint those who lost in the party's elections to certain positions is part of an effort to strengthen Umno, says its president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

“Those who won, didn’t win it all, those who lost, did not lose all, so this inclusiveness was to strengthen the party, which in the eyes of others, is in a state of chaos.

"Decisions were made at the division, Youth, Puteri, Wanita and national levels. I see a new wave and I have to be with them to build new strength in Umno and bring together the leaders at every level," said the Deputy Prime Minister.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, was speaking to reporters after attending his ministry’s Ramadan event at Masjid Batu 8, Gombak North today (March 24).

The first meeting of the Umno supreme council 2023-2026 on Wednesday decided that Tan Sri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil be appointed as an Umno supreme council member, as well as the chairman of the Women and Family Affairs Council.

Also announced was the appointment of Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid as chairman of the Kedah Umno liaison body and Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican as Umno Elections Department chief.

Shahrizat lost in the contest for the Wanita chief’s post, while Mahdzir and Reezal Merican lost in the vice-presidential race.

The Umno elections held last Saturday saw Datuk Dr Noraini Ahmad retain the Wanita chief’s post while the three vice-president posts were won by Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail and Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin. - Bernama