KUALA LUMPUR: Talk is rife that former Selangor Barisan Nasional (BN) information chief Isham Jalil is likely to be appointed as Umno's newest Supreme Council member.
According to sources, Isham is currently a favourite for the post after Pasir Salak member of parliament Datuk Seri Tajuddin Rahman's sacking from the council.
The rumour gained more traction after Isham himself wrote on his Facebook account that he was invited to attend the council meeting at the World Trade Centre tonight.
"I was informed by Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan that I have been invited to attend the Umno Supreme Council meeting at WTC tonight.
"Thank you for inviting me to attend the meeting involving the highest body in the party tonight. I will be there. As an Umno member from the grassroots level, I will give everything I can for the party, the people and the country," he wrote.
Sources within Putrajaya claimed that Isham was not the only one who may get a position in the council.
"Many are lobbying for the Supreme Council post, while some troublemakers are looking for ways to get Umno leaders to end their suspension from the party. There will also be defectors from Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, formerly Umno members, who are planning to return to Umno," the source said.
Another insider claimed that one of the Bersatu defectors involved a cabinet member but stopped short of revealing the name.
"They are negotiating. Some will probably be offered a supreme council member position, especially those who already have cabinet positions," the insider said.
Yesterday, it was reported that Tajuddin through a letter dated June 21.
Today, Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi told reporters that Tajuddin should know why he was booted out of the council.
"I think you (the media) have to ask him and I think that's for the best. It's unfair for me to tell the public about the reason why (he was sacked) because he definitely knows what he has done.
"You have to ask him about the statements that he gave, the speeches, contents of talks, or anything that he of spoke of during closed-door meetings. Please ask him," Zahid said at WTC today.
Previously, the Umno Supreme Council consisted of 40 members - 25 elected and 15 were appointed. Currently, there are 22 elected Supreme Council members, 12 appointed (following Tajuddin's sacking) and 10 others based on invitations.