Hishammuddin not contesting in Umno polls

Mohd Farhan Darwis Mohd Farhan Darwis Updated 7 years ago · Published on 8 Jun 2018 11:59AM · 3 Comments

UMNO vice-president Hishammuddin Hussein has announced that he will not contest any post in the upcoming party polls, confirming a report by The Malaysian Insight this morning.

The son of former prime minister Hussein Onn and grandson of Umno co-founder Onn Jaafar said he will, instead, focus on rebuilding the party, starting in its birthplace, Johor.

“I will not contest any post at the national level, and will focus on rebuilding Umno in Johor,” he told a packed press conference today in Johor Baru.

His decision comes after Barisan Nasional’s shocking defeat in the May 9 polls, which saw Pakatan Harapan taking over Putrajaya.

Hishammuddin’s cousin, former prime minister Najib Razak, took responsibility for the loss, and resigned as chief of both Umno and BN.

The Malaysian Insight earlier today reported that Hishammuddin would likely announce his decision not to contest in the party elections.

Sources told the portal that Hishammuddin had been having second thoughts about continuing in a senior position in Umno, following the GE14 defeat.

Hishammuddin said he, too, must bear responsibility and be accountable for BN’s loss in the elections.

He said the GE14 results showed that Umno could no longer operate as usual, and must totally change its approach.

He said the party must be rebuilt and be closer to the people.

“Umno is now having its party elections. This is a good time for change to take shape in the party leadership.

“I see that many are offering themselves to take Umno forward, and I believe they must be given the chance.

“This struggle is not about the individual and getting positions, but is about teamwork and service to the people.”

Hishammuddin said he had spoken with Umno acting president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Johor party chief Mohamed Khaled Nordin about his decision.

“They understand and respect my decision.”

In GE14, the former defence minister retained the Sembrong parliamentary seat for a sixth term. – June 8, 2018.

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Comments

  • Tun Hussein's values were a source of admiration and respect to the entire Nation. He placed Nation above sectarian interests and polarization. He stood above political expediency, demonstrating a higher worldview th

    Posted 7 years ago by Kukananthan Gnanamoorthy · Reply

  • Right choice and reading the political environment in a realistic manner. The gravy train has stopped. Nothing much to offer. It is only idiotic fools who will pursue and keep on flogging the dead horse. When the whole party of members and Chieftains are devoid of intelligence, no matter what visions and reforms tabled out by a few smarter ones' will not even see the daylight to germinate. The Crab Pulling Sydrome will ensure the demise. Umno will be history and remembered as a "Penipu" in their make believes role in overplaying the "Pertahankan Bangsar , Negara , Agama dan Kedaulatan" when the party itself sacriledge all what they stand for. It is more to a third tier level of "con-manship". When the Rakyat has awoken from their 60 years of induced sleep of miseries, forgiveness in being sillily deceived especially for the Malay race are very short in coming. They have better choices now to select . Go ahead Umno have a permanent rest!!!!!!

    Posted 7 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

  • It is the correct decision. Like so many others in UMNO Baru he has become a liability.

    Posted 7 years ago by Henry Mancini Jr · Reply