Second Finance Minister Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah ( below ) will not defend his Umno Supreme Council seat in the party elections in October, saying he wanted to focus on his ministerial duties in view of the ever-challenging economic and financial situation.

husni eon bank function 120310 ahmad husni He said he made the decision in view of the changing times which was translated through the message the people drove home in the recent general election, held in May.

"We have to acknowledge that the world has changed and the outcome of the general election is the message from the people, that they want change.

"In the context of change, Umno needs a new breed of leadership to bring new ideas and greater integrity and competency," he told reporters at his Aidilfitri open house at his residence in Sungai Rokam, in Ipoh.

Ahmad Husni, who is the MP for Tambun, said he would focus more on his ministerial duties as there was no indication that the global economic crisis would end soon.

The national fiscal structure under the government leadership had to be strengthened to propel the domestic economy and place the country on a sound footing to achieve the targeted growth, he said.

Ahmad Husni joined Umno in 1983 as a Menglembu Umno Youth member and was in the Umno Youth executive committee from 1987 to 1993 before becoming the Tambun Umno Division head.

In 2009, he contested a seat in the Umno Supreme Council and was appointed the Umno treasurer.

- Bernama