SEVERAL Umno leaders today described the statement by Supreme Council member Mohd Puad Zarkashi that the party does not need a poster boy for the upcoming general election as unbecoming and one that does not reflect the party’s stand. 

Puad, who is also Johor assembly speaker, in a Facebook post yesterday said having a poster boy is no longer relevant and makes the party an easy target for slander.

He posted the statement following the Federal Court’s decision yesterday to uphold former prime minister Najib Razak’s 12-year jail sentence and RM210 million fine for misappropriating RM42 million of SRC International Sdn Bhd’s funds. 

In Selangor, Sabak Bernam division chief Abd Rahman Bakri said any statement issued by anyone should not precede matters that have been decided by the party leadership and Supreme Council.

Abd Rahman said Umno had previously had decided on its vice-president Ismail Sabri Yaakob being the party’s poster boy and prime ministerial candidate, and the matter of replacing the poster boy does not need to be raised because it is ultimately a party decision. 

“We are loyal people and love the party. The party had previously decided Ismail Sabri as the ‘poster boy’ and candidate for prime minister. That had been decided. Why do you want to talk about waiting for a decision from the top five, political bureau and Supreme Council? It is not an individual or divisional decision,” he said when contacted by Bernama.

Hulu Selangor division chief Mat Nadzari Ahmad Dahlan agreed with Abd Rahman, saying that the decision to name a poster boy and prime ministerial candidate was decided by the party, and this should be respected by all members. 

“Anyone can comment, but the party’s decision must be respected. To me, the party’s decision is far more important than an individual’s,” he said. 

Damansara division chief Ikhwan Salim Sujak said a poster boy is a must to introduce the candidate who will lead the government if Umno wins the general election. 

In Johor, Bakri division chief Mohd Fuad Tukirin reminded party members not to issue inappropriate statements that could interfere with the country’s judicial system.

He discouraged Umno members from the deed, noting that they may be saddened by the Federal Court’s decision against former Umno president Najib. 

“Let’s not tarnish Umno’s image with inappropriate suggestions that may give an impression of efforts to meddle with the country’s judicial system,” he said when contacted today. 

In Kedah, Merbok division chief Annuar Ahmad said the selection of Ismail as the poster boy and prime ministerial candidate had been unanimously decided by the delegates at the Special Umno General Assembly in May. 

He said any decision to change that would need to be discussed by Umno’s top leadership and not openly mentioned to avoid negative perceptions towards the party. 

“There is no need for us to create something that can cause problems to the party or make things worse,” he said when contacted by Bernama tonight. 

In Malacca, Alor Gajah acting division chief Rospandi Leman lambasted Puad, saying the party needs to unite in the face of the general election, which could be held at any time. 

“All suggestions can be submitted through the platform provided by the party and members should not use the media to express their dissatisfaction on matters involving the party,” he told Bernama when contacted. 

“This Saturday, we will be at the World Trade Centre (Kuala Lumpur), where we will meet and present our views in the interests of the party, not of individuals. But for this poster boy issue, for me, what has been said and promised… let’s just go with it,” he added. 

In Negri Sembilan, Supreme Council member Jalaluddin Alias advised party leaders not to make statements that could strain relationships within the party. 

He said the Supreme Council had decided in April to nominate Ismail Sabri as Umno’s poster boy for GE15. 

Jalaluddin said the decision showed that party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and his deputy Mohamad Hasan had put the interests of the party ahead of their positions to ensure victory for Barisan Nasional (BN). 

“It’s not the poster boy issue that we should be talking about; it’s best that we streamline party machinery at every level to woo voters in choosing whosoever whose face will be on BN posters during GE15,” he said. – Bernama, August 25, 2022.