PONTIAN, Aug 19- Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein will be the lone Johor candidate for the VP post in the coming party elections.
It is understood that he has received the support of the Umno Liaison Committee to defend the post and the decision was made as its meeting this morning, which was chaired for the first time by Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin since taking over as the committee chairman from former menteri besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman last month.
Hishammuddin who was asked to comment on the matter, said he was touched by the support shown by Johor Umno for him to defend the veep post, “especially with the chairman himself (Khaled) stating his intention to not contest for a party Supreme Council seat to make way for another candidate”.
“This is the way and approach taken by Johor Umno for the party elections, and I feel proud and fortunate to receive mandate from my party friends in Johor,” he said.
Hishammuddin was met while he was attending the Aidilfitri open house of the Pontian Umno division, here, Sunday.
Also present were the division’s deputy chief and Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Ahmad Maslan, as well as division chief Datuk Ir Hasni Mohammad and some 5,000 local residents.
Hishammuddin said the Johor Umno Liaison Committee meeting today went on harmoniously like a cordial family, focusing on strengthening Johor Umno.
On DAP finally following the directive of the Registrar of Societies (ROS) for the party to hold its central executive committee re-election by early November, he said it showed that the ROS’ decision was apt.
“Although various accusations had been made against ROS, DAP’s eventual decision proves who is right and who have been acting based on emotions,” he added.
– BERNAMA
