KUALA LUMPUR (March 22): Former Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki has been appointed as the new Umno secretary general, replacing Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan. 

This was announced by Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi at a press conference after chairing the first meeting of the Umno supreme council for 2023-2026 at Menara Dato’ Onn, World Trade Centre here on Wednesday (March 22).

The deputy prime minister also announced that Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said had been made the new information chief to replace Isham Jalil, while Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor retained his post as the treasurer general.

“Their appointments were agreed to in the meeting, which also appointed 13 new supreme council members and state Umno chairmen,” he said.

Among those appointed as supreme council members are Tan Sri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, Tan Sri Mohamad Fatmi Che Salleh, Datuk Ahmad Ismail, Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed, and Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Shafei Abdullah.

Also appointed to the supreme council are Datuk Hasmuni Hassan, Datuk Mohd Hasnol Ayub, Datuk Mohd Faizal Ramli, Datuk Mohd Ariff Abdul Majid, Datuk Seri Jailani Johari, Datuk Norliza Abdul Rahim, Mohd Hairi Mas Shah, and Siti Sokhleha Nordin.

On the line-up of state chairmen, Zahid announced the appointment of Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani as the Federal Territory chief, followed by Datuk Megat Zulkarnain Omardin for Selangor, Datuk Rozabil Abd Rahman (Perlis), Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid (Kedah), Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad (Perak), and Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail (Pahang).

“With the appointment of this new line-up, we are determined to realise the five-point direction, which I outlined when delivering the policy speech at the last Umno general assembly,” said Zahid.

He said it is the party’s priority to be together in facing the state election in six states — Selangor, Penang, Negeri Sembilan, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu — due this year, and strengthen unity and solidarity among the new Umno leadership ranks at all levels.

“We are determined to transform the party machinery towards digitalisation, and this matter will be fine-tuned and announced later. The most important thing now is that the current leaders support the unity government,” he said.

Meanwhile, Umno, in a statement, expressed concern over the continued stirring up of racial and religious sentiments, and urged the government to take firm action to check this phenomenon as it could undermine harmony.

“Umno through its representatives in the government is [also] determined to help the administration tackle the issue of increasing cost of living faced by the people,” it said.