Lenggong UMNO division chief Datuk Saarani Mohamad has been appointed as deputy chairman of Perak UMNO liaison committee, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Najib said Saarani, who was formerly Perak UMNO liaison secretary, was appointed to replace Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah who resigned from all of his government and party posts last month.

"Congratulations to Saarani and thank you Datuk Seri Husni who was the liaison committee deputy chairman before this," he said.

Najib, who is also UMNO president, made the announcement when opening the Bukit Gantang, Taiping, Bagan Serai and Parit Buntar UMNO divisions delegates' meeting simultaneously at the Advanced Technology Training Centre (ADTEC) here today.

Saarani is State Rural Development, Plantation, Agriculture, Housing and Local Government committee chairman.

Meanwhile Saarani, when met, pledged that he would assist Perak UMNO liaison chairman Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir to strengthen UMNO and Barisan Nasional (BN) in Perak.

He said that was important as preparation to face the coming 14th general election.

"I will meet with Perak Menteri Besar to get a clearer instruction so that it can be delivered and implemented effectively.

Saarani, who is also Kota Tampan Assemblyman, also thanked the Prime Minister for having the confidence in him.