UMNO will set up two committees to look into the party’s problems, said newly elected president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The first committee, on research, will be headed by Supreme Council member Zambry Abdul Kadir, and the second, on law, will be helmed by Azalina Othman Said.

“The research unit is for all matters, not limited to politics, while Azalina will look into some of the legal issues faced by Umno,” said Zahid after chairing the first Supreme Council meeting following the June 30 party polls.

He said Azalina’s unit will advise members facing legal issues, but did not elaborate.

Zahid himself was interviewed by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission over the last two days.

The authorities have frozen Umno bank accounts suspected of receiving money from 1Malaysia Development Bhd while under the watch of former president Najib Razak.

Zahid said the legal committee will also advise Barisan Nasional MPs on the bills to be brought to Parliament.

Deputy president Mohamad Hassan, meanwhile, will look into ways to implement the president’s election manifesto pledges.

“We have to move forward with all the manifesto pledges, and will include the challengers.

“I have 15, Khairy Jamaluddin has eight, while Tengku Razaleigh Tengku Hamzah has seven,” said Zahid.

He said Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor and Abd Rauf Yusof will cease their duties as Umno secretary-general and executive secretary, respectively.

However, he said, the Supreme Council has not decided on new appointments at this juncture.

“We need to discuss more about this, as a few of us have different ideas on who to approach.”

He said the Supreme Council has yet to decide on who will be the opposition leader in the new Parliament session, which starts on July 16.

“We will discuss with the other BN MPs and opposition parties. But, the position of opposition leader is customarily held by the party president.” – July 4, 2018.