UMNO veteran Shahrir Ab Samad announced today that he was not defending the Johor Baru Umno chief post, which he has held since the 1980s, in the upcoming party elections.

The former Johor Baru MP, who is 74 this year, said he felt it was the right time to step down and make room for a new leader.

“This allows me to be ‘Shahrir’ again. Whether I will still be active on social media (as Tok Uban on Facebook), I’m not sure yet.

“Future leaders should be given the responsibility from now to start Umno’s preparations for both the Johor elections and the 16th general election,” he told reporters after attending a special meeting of the Johor Umno Liaison Body in Johor Baru today.

He said the move has nothing to do with the court case ruling that acquitted him of money laundering charges early last month.

Shahrir was previously charged in court for failing to declare RM1 million received through a cheque from Najib Razak to the Inland Revenue Board.

In a statement, Shahrir, who is also Umno election committee chairman, reminded all candidates who would be contesting in the 2023 Umno polls to adhere to the party’s constitution.

He said any complaints involving misconduct during the campaigning period should be reported to the Umno disciplinary board immediately.

The Umno election process began on February, 1 involving meetings and elections for branch committees as well as the Wanita, Youth, and Puteri wings.

The delegates’ meetings and the Umno divisional committee elections, as well as contests for seats in the Umno Supreme Council, will be held simultaneously across the country on March 18. – Bernama, February 4, 2023.