KEPALA BATAS, Sept 6- The Member of Parliament for Kepala Batas, Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican (photo) on Thursday offered to contest the Umno Supreme Council post in the party elections.
Reezal, who is also Umno Youth information chief said he made the decision after receiving support and encouragement from various quarters especially Umno Youth who want him to contest the post.
“The decision to offer myself to contest the post is among efforts to rejuvenate and respond to the transformation plan by the Prime Minister, the government and Umno,” he told reporters here.
In George Town, Penang Malay Congress president Rahmad Isahak said Penang Umno requires a paradigm shift in leadership to overcome challenges and win back the support of the Malays.
He said the party needs young leaders who have the qualification and potential to be featured at national level and attract the Umno delegates.
“I welcome the nomination of Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican as Umno Supreme Council member representing Umno Youth.
“In the context of tranforming Umno to become more dynamic and to get the support of the Malays, his nomination as a candidate is timely,” he said in a statement.
Rahmad said this regarding the nomination of Reezal Merican as candidate to contest the Umno Supreme Council post at the party elections next month.
In Kinabatangan, the Member of Parliament for Kinabatangan, Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin said he will defend the Umno Supreme Council post at the party elections next month.
Bung Mokhtar, who will also defend the Kinabatangan Umno division chief post said the decisions were made based on the support of party and community leaders in the district.
“It is also to ensure that the voice of Sabahans will continue to be heard by central Umno leaders,” he told reporters after the Aidilfitri open house of Kinabatangan Umno division here on Thursday.
Bung Moktar, 54, held the position of Kinabatangan Umno Division chief since 1996 and Umno Supreme Council post since 2009.
In Temerloh, former deputy higher education minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah said he will defend the Umno Supreme Council post at the party elections.
He said today that Umno members are mature and able to evaluate and choose leaders who can provide services to the party.
“Umno is a big party and democracy allows anyone to contest but let it be conducted properly to safeguard the party,” he said after attending the Aidilfitri celebration of Akademik Belia Daerah Temerloh here.
In Sik, Sik Umno division chief Datuk Mohd Tajuddin Abdullah said he will defend the post in the party elections next month.
The Kedah Exco for Information, Rural and Urban Development and Poverty Eradication said branch leaders wanted him to continue to lead the Umno division.
– BERNAMA
