PASIR GUDANG: Johor UMNO has never rejected the appointment of Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi as Johor's 19th Menteri Besar, replacing Datuk Hasni Mohammad after Barisan Nasional's (BN) win in the State Election last March.

UMNO vice-president Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said that instead, full support was given to the Machap assemblyman in carrying out his duties.

"I've already told just now that there was no such rejection and Pasir Gudang UMNO will give him (Onn Hafiz) its full support because what's important is that the current state government is capable of carrying out its responsibilities effectively.

"(And) this will require the support of UMNO," he told reporters at the Pasir Gudang UMNO division's Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration, here.

Khaled, who is also former Johor UMNO Liaison Committee chairman and ex-Johor Menteri Besar, was responding to claims of Johor UMNO leaders' rejection of Onn Hafiz's appointment as Menteri Besar.

Onn Hafiz, 43, who won the Machap seat in the Johor State Election on March 12 with a majority of 6,543 votes, was appointed as Menteri Besar three days later following BN's victory with more than two-thirds majority.

-- BERNAMA