Hasni cools down angry Johor delegates over MB appointment

Johor delegates to skip debate at Umno general assembly


Party delegates from Johor will not be involved in any debate at the Umno general assembly starting tomorrow in Kuala Lumpur following the crisis over the appointment of the new menteri besar.

It was learned that in a meeting of Johor Umno leaders, including division heads, at the official residence of the menteri besar last night, Johor Umno liaison chairperson Hasni Mohammad urged party members not to prolong the issue.

A source told Bernama, when contacted today, that Hasni (above) “was magnanimous”.

“He (Hasni) did not want the matter to be amplified.”

According to the source, Hasni also wanted to stop a handful of Johor Umno delegates who were against the appointment of Onn Hafiz Ghazi as the 19th Johor menteri besar.

It was learned that the meeting last night began at 9pm and ended at about 3am with those present stating their undivided support for Hasni’s leadership.

Onn Hafiz, 43, who is the Machap assemblyperson, was sworn in as the menteri besar at Istana Serene taking over the post from Hasni.

Earlier, Hasni was named as the sole menteri besar candidate by BN chairperson Ahmad Zahid Hamidi during the campaign period of the state election.

In the polls on Saturday, BN won a supermajority mandate of 40 out of the 56 seats in the state assembly and was in a comfortable position to form the state government.

However, three days after BN celebrated its victory, there was no indication on whether Hasni would return to lead the state government until rumours emerged linking Onn Hafiz’s name and Umno supreme council member Mohd Puad Zarkashi to the post.