KJ, Shahrizat, Mas Ermieyati confirmed as UMNO wings leaders

UMNO election committee announced the victory of UMNO Youth Chief Khairy Jamaluddin and Wanita UMNO Chief Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil who will continue to lead the wings for a second term. While Mas Ermieyati Samsudin emerged as the new Puteri Umno chief.

The committee chairman, Tan Sri Tajol Rosli Ghazali announced the results at a media briefing early this morning after each contestant obtained an easy majority vote of more than 96 divisions.

Since 3.35am, Khairy was said to have won in 97 divisions and Sharizat in 100 divisions whilst Mas Ermieyati won at 96 divisions.

Meanwhile, UMNO executive Secretary, Datuk Abd Rauf Yusof said, since this morning, there are still some 50 divisions that still has not finished counting their vote.

“This is the results that we have so far. The official results for other posts will be announced by UMNO headquarters today (Sunday),” he said.

The UMNO elections this year is the first time it involved grass root members in each division around the country and not only delegates who attend the UMNO General Assembly in Kuala Lumpur.

UMNO president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the new process proves that UMNO is a democratic party.

It also proves the decision to amend the party’s constitution in 2009 is relevant and is accepted by their members.

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, KITA fellow analyst,Prof Dr Mansor Mohd Noor expressed that despite the brave transformation taken by UMNO, the feasibility of the changes need to be see further.

“UMNO has to see a change in its culture not its system, which is why you see the incumbents have won. The culture right now is the rich urban Malay conquering UMNO,” he said, adding the change of culture was needed to see a difference.

However, Najib highlights that even though there were a few problems during the election at a few places, in general UMNO has carried out the election this year successfully.

“I, on behalf of the party and the Supreme Council want to express our highest appreciation and thanks to all parties who have worked hard in the background and until now have been unknown, he said.

The 3 wings UMNO election consisted of 33,012 candidates, 247,000 voting papers distributed at 572 voting stations and 20,000 election volunteers.

Meanwhile, Khairy in his immediate reactions said that his lead is an endorsement to the progressive and liberal views that has become his signature during his first term in the last four years.

He said that his lead is an endorsement to the progressive and liberal views that has become his signature during his first term in the last four years.

Shahrizat’s win on the other hand, is also a win for the leadership transformation agenda spearheaded by the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister and is a win for the grass root members of UMNO Women’s grassroots.

“This is the voice of the grassroots members who have confirmed their victory today,” she said.

Shahrizat was challenged by Datuk Maznah Mazlan and Raihan Suleiman Palestin, while Mas Ermieyati Samsudin went against Jamilah Hanim Othman.

The UMNO wings election process saw the party transformation with 33,012 members vying for posts all at levels.