KUANTAN: The state Umno election tomorrow will see several senior politicians including former Menter Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob battling to retain their respective positions as division chiefs.
Seven of the 14 Umno divisions in Pahang will see competition for the chairmen’s posts at the party’s election while seven division chairmen including former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak (Pekan division) have won unopposed.
The others who won unopposed were Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail(Cameron Highlands), Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob(Bera), Datuk Abdul Rahman Mohamad(Lipis), Datuk Seri Ismail Mohamed Said(Kuala Krau) and Datuk Seri Mohd Sharkar Shamsuddin(Temerloh).
Incumbent Jerantut Umno division chief Datuk Ahmad Nazlan Idris, who is also the Jerantut member of parliament, will not be defending his position, thus paving the way for newcomer Datuk Nazri Ngah to win unopposed.
Adnan, who was elected as the Bentong Umno division chief since 1987, is challenged by Captain (R) Shamsudin Munir, who once served as the division committee member while Raub Umno division deputy chief Datuk Abd. Aziz Mat Kiram will take on Felda Lembah Klau 2 Umno branch chairman Datuk Abdullah Abu Bakar for the top post.
In the Kuantan Umno division, its deputy chief Datuk Seri Abdul Hamid Nazahar will be pitted against the division vice-chief Datuk Seri Shafik Fauzan Sharif while incumbent Indera Mahkota division chief Datuk Mustaffa Kamal Abdul Hamid will square off against newcomer Shahrum Zainuddin who is vying to be the new division chief.
Former Paya Besar Umno division chief Datuk Ahmad Tajuddin Sulaiman sprang a surprise by challenging the division’s deputy chief Datuk Md. Sohaimi Mohamed Shah for the top post while Rompin Umno division acting chief Datuk Seri Hasan Arifin will take on former division youth information chief Mohd Haris Lutfi Abdul Khalid.
A mouth-watering clash appears certain in Maran as incumbent Maran Umno division chief Datuk Seri Ismail Abd Muttalib will be facing his former deputy Datuk Seri Shahaniza Shamsuddin, who has set her sights to create history as the first woman to become Umno division chief in Pahang.
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