ZAMRI EYEING PEKAN UMNO DIVISION TOP POST
Division’s deputy chief hints Najib’s eldest son may seek to contest his current position
PEKAN Umno division deputy chief Datuk Seri Zamri Ramly is vying for the division’s top post in the party election. He has been the division’s caretaker after former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who held the post since 1982, was ordered to serve his jail sentence last August.
On Aug 23, the Federal Court upheld the conviction and prison sentence of 12 years and a fine of RM210 million against Najib, who was found guilty of misappropriating SRC International Sdn Bhd funds amounting to RM42 million.
Zamri, who defeated the current Pekan member of parliament (MP) Datuk Seri Sh Mohamed Fuzi Sh Ali in a straight fight for the division deputy chief post in 2018, confirmed he was vying for the Pekan Umno division chief post.
“These are challenging times for Umno. With my experience, I hope to help the party recruit more members under its Pemuda and Puteri youth wings.
“Pekan Umno did not perform well in terms of securing votes during the 15th General Election (GE15) last year.
“So we have to put in a lot of effort,” he said.
Zamri, who did not contest during GE15, hinted that Najib’s eldest son, Datuk Nizar Mohd Najib, who is Pekan Umno Youth division chief and Peramu Jaya assemblyman, might contest the division’s deputy or vicechief post.
Meanwhile, sources said the top positions at several Umno divisions in Pahang were expected to be contested, especially after some of the division chiefs lost during GE15.
“Some might win unopposed, including Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail (who is Cameron Highlands MP), Datuk Abdul Rahman Mohamad (who is Lipis MP) and former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob (who is Bera MP). There will be competition for the chairmen posts in Raub, Rompin, Indera Mahkota and Kuantan.
“Some have voiced their intention to contest, while some are adopting the wait and see approach.
“Several division chiefs might defend their positions but the division members or branches might want to bring in a new face... Anything can happen in the next few weeks,” he said.
On Jan 31, Maran Umno division chief Datuk Seri Shahaniza Shamsuddin, who, in 2018, became the first woman elected to head a party division in Pahang, expressed her intention to not only defend the division’s top post but also contest one of the 25 seats in the party’s supreme council.
The party elections began on Wednesday and will end on March 18.