Tanjong Karang MP Noh Omar is expected to be appointed Selangor Umno chief, following BN's abysmal performance in the state during the May 5 general election.

According to Berita Harian which quoted sources, Noh's appointment was supported by the majority of Umno division leaders in Selangor.

This would mean that Noh - who is also former agriculture and agro-based industry minister - will be Selangor BN chief, as the position is traditionally held by the state Umno chief.

Noh had been next in line to succeed former Selangor Menteri Besar Khir Toyo after the latter led BN to a shock defeat in the 2008 general election. It is noted that Khir has since been charged for corruption.

However, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak took over as acting Selangor Umno chief during the GE13, in view that Selangor - the wealthiest state in the country - was a critical battleground that BN had to wrest back.

'Downhill performance'

Despite this, Selangor BN performed worst in last month's general election, ceding eight more seats to the incumbent Pakatan Rakyat government which, for the first time, gained a two-thirds majority in the state assembly.

BN presently has 12 seats in the Selangor state assembly to Pakatan's 44 seats.

According to the Malay language daily, Najib had consented to Noh's appointment and an official announcement is expected on Friday.

Kuang state assemblyperson Abdul Shukor Idrus is also expected to be appointed as Selangor Umno deputy chief, while Jeram state assemblyperson Amiruddin Setro will be state Umno information chief.

However, notably missing from the leadership line-up is Mohd Zin Mohamed who was Selangor BN coordinator and who had lost in the contest for the Sepang parliamentary seat during the 13th general election.

It is understood that Semenyih state assemblyperson Johan Abdul Aziz will take over from Mohd Zin as the Selangor Umno secretary.

Noh, when contacted by Malaysiakini , said he could not comment on the matter as he himself does not know about it.