JB Umno division poll likely to be held on May 27

JOHOR BARU: The Johor Baru Umno division election is expected to be held by May 27, says its former deputy chief Datuk Yahya Jaafar (pic).

Yahya, who is vying for the division chief post against state executive councillor Mohd Hairi Mad Shah, said Johor Baru is the only division that has yet to hold its election.

"The Johor Umno committee has yet to announce a final date for the election, which has been postponed since March 18.

"However, I am made to understand by some committee members that the poll is expected to take place on May 27, after the Hari Raya Aidilfitri festive period.

"I initially expected it to be conducted before the National Unity Convention on May 14, but it looks like it will only be held after that but I hope that the election can still be carried out before the convention," he added.

Yahya, who is also a local councillor, said this when met after the Johor Baru City Council (MBJB) full council meeting here on Wednesday (May 3).

He said the delay in carrying out the election might affect the number of members turning up to vote.

"It has been more than 60 days since the division was dissolved and it is important for the poll to be done as soon as possible," he said.

The Johor Baru division election, which was supposed to take place on March 18, was postponed by the Umno central election committee following claims that there were more voting papers compared to the number of voters.