MERLIMAU assemblyman Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh has become Umno Youth chief, with the result yet to be declared official.

Results displayed on Umno Online as of 12.30am put Akmal, 32, in first place with a big lead over his challengers: Paya Besar MP Mohd Shahar Abdullah, party supreme council member Armand Azha Abu Hanifah and Meor Hassan Mat Ali.

Umno secretary-general Ahmad Maslan tweeted his congratulations to Akmal and expressed hope that the new leader would take the wing to greater heights.

“May he be successful in reaching out to youth and bringing them to glory,” Ahmad posted along with a picture of Akmal.

Former youth chief Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, who was not defending the post, had earlier announced that Akmal obtained 102 out of 191 division votes, surpassing the 96 votes needed for a simple majority.

Akmal, who has a medical degree from Russian State Medical University, has been Umno Youth vice-chief since 2018 and is currently a Malacca executive councillor.

Meanwhile, Noraini Ahmad is in the lead for the Umno Women’s chief post, with 48 votes, while her rival Shahrizat Abd Jalil has 32 votes, as of 12.30am.

For the Umno Puteri chief contest, Nurul Amal Mohd Fauzi is leading with 51 votes, followed by supreme council member Khaidirah Abu Zahar (25), Umno Puteri exco member Masliha Harun (11), Umno Puteri exco member Fadwah Anuwar (8), Umno Puteri secretary Nurul Hazwani Haslan (7) and Pandan Umno division Puteri chief Wan Noor Akyilah Wan Shapuddin (2).

Umno election committee chairman Shahrir Samad will announce the results after the vote counting process is complete. – Bernama, March 12, 2023.