Manek Urai: Mustapa to lead Umno's charge

Umno today named party's Kelantan state chief Mustapa Mohamed (below) to head the election machinery for the Manek Urai by-election on July 14.

The party is expected to face PAS for the seat which became vacant following the death of its incumbent Ismail Yaacob, from PAS, on May 23. Nomination is on July 6.

Deputy president Muhyiddin Yassin would be coordinating the by-election at federal level.

Umno president Najib Abdul Razak made the announcement today after the party's supreme council meeting at party headquarters in Putra World Trade Centre.

“However, the daily running of the Umno campaigns will be handled by Mustapa,” he said.

“We are awaiting the list of candidates from the Kelantan Umno liason committee. There is still ample time to decide on who should we choose to contest,” Najib said in a hastily organised press conference after chairing the party Supreme Council meeting.

Asked on the criteria of the candidates, Najib replied, “Of course we want the best candidates and we will wait on the list from Kelantan Umno.”

No decision was made today on the party's candidate for the by-election.

The Manek Urai state seat in Kelantan fell vacant following the sudden death Ismail Yaakob, 60, of heart failure.

The Election Commission had yesterday announced July 6 as the nomination day and July 16 as polling day.

So far, besides Pas and Umno, AKIM president has expressed interests to contest in the polls in a seat, which is traditionally a Pas stronghold, where Ismail had held the seat since the 1986.

Special seating

Najib also announced that the party's annual general meeting will be held from Oct 13 to 16.

He said it will start with a special seating to amend the constitution.

“The draft of the amendment had been distributed to get feedbacks and the Supreme Council will sit and study it before it is tabled to the general assembly,” he said.

The main agenda, he said, will be to thank the President's speech.

The party has also agreed to increase the number of people in the Umno disciplinary board comprising the investigation, appeal and tribunal divisions.

Najib said those appointed come from various background including lawyer, and former policemen.

They are Ismail Said, Zuraidah Atan (lawyer), Wahab Wahid (former ACA), Nordin Saidin and Mohd Zin Ismail (former policemen)

He also announced that the Supreme Council has also approved the membership of former president Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Dr Hasmah Mohd Ali and Mokhzani Mahathir as Umno members. They had left the party following Dr Mahathir's tiff with the party.

Najib also said members who had been charged in court would be suspended immediately of its position and membership until he is cleared from the courts.

“Those who have been cleared would get their posts back,” he said.

No comments on PKFZ, Petronas

Najib, who is also the finance minister, refused to comment on the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) scandal or speculation of potential changes in Petronas top line-up.

An audit report released yesterday showed serious mismanagement of the project which has ballooned from a cost of RM1.9 billion to RM7.5 billion till date.

Should there be no remedies, the audit report projected that PKFZ would cost taxpayers RM12 billion by 2051.

Najib said all explanations should come from Transport Minister Ong Tee Keat.

“Ong has been required to explain all matters arising from the audit report,” he said.

Asked as Finance Minister, Najib cut short and said: “No, you refer to Ong Tee Keat.”

The premier also refused to comment on any potential changes in the Petronas top line-up.

There have been speculations that former cabinet minister Syed Hamid Albar would be made the chairperson and Mustapa Ong a director.

Najib also said that the party has officially accepted the return of former president Dr Mahathir Mohamad, his wife Siti Hasmah and son Mokhzani to the party.

The three had quit the party last May in protest of the manner the party was helmed by Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, the then president.

KJ asking not to poll

When asked to comment on Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin's calls to voters of Penanti not to cast votes, Najib said Umno was not contesting and it does not concern the party.

“We are not contesting and whatever action that he takes, it's his own action and not ours.”