FORMER Dewan Rakyat speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia has filled the vacancy on the Umno Supreme Council after former attorney-general Mohamed Apandi Ali turned down the post, the party said today.

Umno secretary-general Annuar Musa said Pandikar was appointed because of his experience and knowledge of the law, especially on parliamentary matters.

Annuar said party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi spoke to Pandikar as soon as Apandi announced his decision not to accept the post.

“Because he (Apandi) declined the position, the president then agreed to appoint Pandikar.

“Taking into account Pandikar’s wide experience in legal matters especially with regards to matters involving the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara, this will be of benefit to us,” Annuar said at a press conference at the Umno headquarters in Kuala Lumpur today.

Umno is now an opposition party, a role it has never had before. 

Apandi had been among 11 people appointed by Umno president Zahid to the party’s Supreme Council on Saturday.

He initially accepted the appointment but turned it down later the same day, saying it was “not appropriate” as it could create “negative perceptions linked to my actions and decisions back when I worked as a judge and attorney-general.”

Apandi as attorney-general had said there was not enough evidence to prosecute former prime minister Najib Razak over scandals involving 1Malaysia Development Berhad.

Other changes to Umno, Annuar said today, included the party’s leadership in Sabah which was now under Tuaran Umno chief Hajiji Noor, who is Tuaran MP.

Hajiji is taking over from former minister Salleh Said Keruak who had suggested that the post be held by an elected representative.

Annuar said Salleh had also been appointed to the party Supreme Council. – July 16, 2018.