KUALA LUMPUR: The tussle for the Umno Youth chief post is set to become even more interesting with Datuk Lokman Noor Adam touted to be a contender for the post in the party’s coming election.
The Pemantau Malaysia Baru president, who is also former Finance Ministry strategic communications director, is believed to have the support of the grassroots for his experience as a speaker.
Lokman was also formerly involved in the Reformasi movement in PKR.
“With Umno now an opposition party, it needs a leader who is opinionated and able to marshal the masses to tackle the Pakatan Harapan government.
“Lokman’s experience in the Reformasi movement, having been locked up eight times and arrested under the Internal Security Act (ISA) twice, also gives him a marked difference among the other candidates,” an Umno source told Berita Harian.
To date, Deputy Umno Youth chief Khairul Azwan Harun and former Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki have stated their intent to contest the Umno Youth chief post.
However, Lokman’s close aides have also indicated that he might be offering himself for the Sri Gading Umno division chief post, and for a spot on the party’s supreme council.
This is in view of speculation that current Sri Gading Umno chief, Datuk Abdul Aziz Kaprawi, is set to relinquish his position and will not be defending his supreme council seat.
Meanwhile, Lokman, when contacted, said he has yet to decide on any specific position this election.
“I have received many WhatsApp messages urging me to take on the Umno Youth chief post. But I’ve yet to decide. When I’m ready, I’ll announce it,” he said.