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Newspaper New Straits Times

Date 7/1/2011 Umno gears up for polls with reshuffle

Almost recovered from the 2008 electoral setbacks, Umno hits the ground running in the new year as it gears up for the 13th general election, writes ZUBAIDAH ABU BAKAR

ATUK Seri spectively. wore a broad smile as The prime minister had Dhe greeted well-wishers made clear his wish to see waiting for his arrival at Kuala back in BN's fold. An- 's Sultan Mahmud alysts viewed BN's ability to Airport on New Year's Day, the retain Hulu Selangor in last day he officially took the helm April's by-election as a morale of Terengganu Umno. booster, but cautioned that After a quick scan for fa- Umno had a lot more to do to miliar faces, the 53-year-old prevent the marginal seats menteri besar gave a short from changing hands. speech thanking Prime Min- Selangor Pas information ister Datuk Seri for chief Roslan Mohd Shahir had having confidence in him to claimed that the party could lead the state Umno, a post win sue state seats that it lost to temporarily entrusted to party Umno in 2008, namely Sungai vice-president Datuk Seri Tawar, Sabak, Taman Templer, in Sri Serdang, Morib and Paya April last year to consolidate Jaras. the rival factions. Selangor is likely to be a big Ahmad had taken the morn- battleground in the next na- ing flight from tional polls. The political forces International Airport in Sep- have been working feverishly ang, returning from a short in the state since 2008, with BN holiday abroad with his family. aiming to regain control and He was in Britain when Umno Pakatan Rakyat struggling to secretary-general Datuk Seri stay in power. Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor Umno has entered the new announced his appointment a in dealing with politicians seen Najib also released two other year in election mode. All levels few days earlier. as opposing his leadership. party vice-pre,sidents — Datuk in the party have been told to Ahmad's appointment has Idris, now the chairman of Seri Mohd in work "as though the general been viewed by some national Mara, said: "Many are of the and Datuk Seri Ahmad election is just around the cor- party leaders as recognition of opinion that Terengganu Umno Zahid Hamidi in . ner", after Najib made what his leadership skills. Empow- is at the end of its road. We Shafie was replaced by his for- was widely seen as a clarion ering him politically, they said, prefer to view these appoint- mer deputy, Datuk Ahmad call for the party to prepare for would give him more clout to ments as testimony that it has, Bashah Md Hanipah, and Ah- the 13th general election at the push through reforms that in fact, become stronger." mad Zahid by supreme council Umno general assembly last would ensure Terengganu re- Datuk Seri member and Nibong Tebal di- October. main under has also taken a conciliatory vision chief Datuk Zainal "We are already in top gear in the next general election. tone on his appointment as the Abidin Osman. at party headquarters. The The state fell to Pas in 1999 but new No. 2 in Umno. Shafie had been juggling the same message has been was wrested back by BN in Like Idris, Shahidan, who led duties of federal minister, Um- passed down to the state, di- 2004. Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh Perlis Umno when he was no vice-president, MP of Sem- visional and branch levels," a was subsequently made menteri besar from 1995 to porna and Semporna division party official said. menteri besar. 2008, was not reappointed to chief. Ahmad Bashah, no doubt Najib will embark on a na- Ahmad was not Umno's head the state after the 2008 is a better bet, having had ex- tionwide tour; his programme choice for menteri besar after general election. He was re- perience as a state executive should be ready after Muhyid- the 2008 general election. It placed by Datuk Seri Dr Md Isa councillor under four Kedah din chairs the Umno manage- was known that he survived Sabu, now state Umno chief. menteris besar. ment committee in the middle several internal sabotage at- "I am willing to work with the In Penang, the Zainal Abidin- of the month. This will com- tempts, including by elected menteri besar," said Shahidan, Datuk Musa Sheikh Fadzir plement the party's Juara representatives closely associ- a two-term Arau member of combination could help some Rakyat programme, which par- ated with the former menteri parliament until his appoint- Umno divisions recover from ty information chief Datuk Ah- besar, whose candidacy was ment as menteri besar. inertia. mad Maslan said would from rejected by the palace. Abdul Shukor Sultan, from All three vice-presidents now now include those of authority Amid criticism and resent- Perlis's Padang Besar division, return to focus on their party addressing current issues. ment, Ahmad made his mark said consolidation was the only duties. Hishammuddin (chair- As the Umno leadership through promoting people- option for Perlis Umno if the man of the code of ethics and pushes for the party's revival, centric programmes. opposing sides were serious constitutional amendment Umno's 3.4 million members "His first task obviously is to about checking Pas support. committee), Ahmad Zahid have to embrace the values rope in people with fresh ideas As party president, Najib (training bureau and member- their party president cited in and, most importantly, people made changes in several state ship recruitment) and Shafie his speech at the general as- who can and will work with Umno as part of a housekeep- (voter registration bureau) sembly — which are to put the him," said an Ahmad aide. ing exercise to speed up Um- oversee important areas as party first, raise team spirit, As Idris, who is Jertih as- no's recovery in time for the Umno prepares to face the vot- become people-centric, inclu- semblyman and also Besut next general election. As head ers again. sive and new media savvy, dis- Umno chief, appeared to be of the 13-member ruling coali- Najib and his deputy, Tan Sri avow political sabotage and receptive to Ahmad's reap- tion, Najib wants to see his own , however, woo young voters. pointment, it is expected that party take the lead in defend- remain as Selangor and Fed- Ahmad will be magnanimous ing . eral Territory liaison chiefs, re- • [email protected]