Johor delegates to skip debate at Umno general assembly

Delegates from Johor will not be involved in any debate at the Umno general assembly which starts tomorrow in Kuala Lumpur following the crisis over the appointment of the new menteri besar.

It is learnt that in a meeting of Johor Umno leaders including division heads at the official residence of the menteri besar in Saujana last night, Johor Umno liaison chairman Hasni Mohammad had urged Umno members not to prolong the issue.

“On the other hand, he (Hasni) was magnanimous. He did not want the matter to be amplified,” a source told Bernama when contacted today.

According to the source, Hasni also wanted to stop the efforts of a handful of Johor Umno delegates who were against the appointment of Hafiz Ghazi as the 19th Johor menteri besar.

It is learnt that the meeting in Saujana last night began at 9pm and ended at about 3am with those present stating their undivided support for Hasni’s leadership.

Onn Hafiz, 43, who is Machap assemblyman, was sworn as the 19th menteri besar of Johor at Istana Serene today, taking over the post from Hasni.

Hasni had been named as the sole menteri besar candidate by Barisan Nasional chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi during the campaign for the Johor state election.

At the polls on Saturday, BN won a super mandate of 40 seats out of the 56 in the state assembly, leaving it in a comfortable position to form the state government.

However, three days after BN celebrated its victory, there was no indication on whether Hasni would return to lead the state government until rumours emerged linking Onn Hafiz and Umno Supreme Council member Mohd Puad Zarkashi to the post.