NOH WON’T VIE FOR PARTY POSTS
He was asked to make way for new blood, say sources
SELANGOR Umno liaison committee chairman Tan Sri Noh Omar will not contest posts either at the divisional level or in the Umno Supreme Council. Sources said the decision came following objections from those who wanted new blood to contest.
“It is true that Noh had announced that he would contest the Umno Supreme Council election, but there are those who had asked him to withdraw.
“Among the most vocal parties are Umno Youth members.
“Many questions were raised by them.
“What would the rakyat say if an ‘old face’ contests the election?
“The rakyat will ask if Umno does not have any leadership successors,” the source told the New Straits Times Press yesterday.
The source added that it was made to understand that Noh, who is also Tanjong Karang Umno division chief, would relinquish the Selangor Umno liaison committee chairman post soon.
“There is a movement at the grassroots level asking Noh to let go of his posts and take responsibility for Selangor Umno’s defeat for three consecutive terms,” said the source.
Noh had announced that he would defend his Supreme Council seat in the election.
However, he would let the party leadership decide on his position as Selangor Umno liaison committee chairman following the poor performance of the state Umno in the general election.
Recently, Selangor Umno Youth chief Zainuri Zakaria had urged Umno to get rid of its tradition of allowing division chiefs to hold the position of the party’s liaison committee chairman.
He added that the post should be open to all, including wing leaders who were credible and boasted a clean image.
Zainuri had also called on Selangor Umno liaison committee deputy chairman Datuk Mat Nadzari Ahmad Dahlan and information chief Datuk Zein Isma Ismail to quit their positions.