Lenggong Umno division chief Saarani Mohamad has been appointed as deputy chairperson of Perak Umno liaison committee, said Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

Najib said Saarani, who was formerly Perak Umno liaison secretary, was appointed to replace Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah who resigned from all of his government and party posts last month.

"Congratulations to Saarani and thank you, Husni, who was the liaison committee deputy chairpersonn before this," he said.

Najib, who is also Umno president, made the announcement when opening the Bukit Gantang, Taiping, Bagan Serai and Parit Buntar Umno divisions delegates' meeting simultaneously at the Advanced Technology Training Centre (Adtec) in Taiping today.

Saarani is state Rural Development, Plantation, Agriculture, Housing and Local Government Committee chairperson.

Meanwhile Saarani, when met, pledged that he would assist Perak Umno liaison chairperson Zambry Abd Kadir to strengthen Umno and BN in Perak.

He said that was important as part of the preparations to face the coming 14th general election.

Saarani, who is also Kota Tampan assemblyperson, also thanked the prime minister for having confidence in him.

- Bernama