The time is ripe that a leader from Johor - Umno’s birthplace - be nominated as party president, said Desa Jaya Umno branch head Abdul Muhamad Talib Ngah.

“The time has come for someone from Johor to be party president. Muhyiddin Yassin is the person fit for the post.

umno selangor najib muhyiddin event anti pak lah banners 160408 04 “He has shown that he has the capabilities to perform his duties entrusted upon him thus far,” Muhamad Talib told Malaysiakini.

Such duties include those within the party and the government, he said.

Presently, Muhyiddin is Umno vice-president and international trade and industry minister. Previously he was the agriculture minister.

Muhammad Talib said that his branch has unanimously passed a motion recommending Muhyiddin as the party president on July 19. It was unanimously carried by the 81 members present.

He stressed that the motion was tabled without any ‘influence’ from any groups.

The Desa Jaya branch is the only branch to nominate Muhyiddin thus far. The branch is party of the Johor Bahru Umno division which is headed by Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Shahrir Samad.

‘We want democracy’

Commenting further, Muhamad Talib said the branch wants genuine democracy to be practiced within the party.

“We want to be free to voice out and we do not intend to overthrow anyone. We are merely seeking change,” he said, adding that he did not agree that politics should be based on personalities.

“Don’t be afraid to voice your opinions, as long as your comments do not infringe party ethics, party constitution and the country’s laws,” he said.

Other than Muhyiddin, deputy premier and deputy Umno president Najib Abdul Razak has also been recommended by two Umno branches in Pahang to contest for the party presidency.