ALOR STAR: Datuk Mohd Nazifuddin Najib, the son of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak emerged as the youngest Umno division chief – at age of 39, in Kedah after securing a stunning victory in Langkawi.
Nazifuddin won by a slim majority of 12 votes, defeating Langkawi division's deputy chief Nor Saidi Nanyan, who is also the former Kuah assemblyman.
The other surprise winner is businessman Datuk Muhamad Khizri Abu Kassim who defeated senior party members in an intense four-cornered battle in Sik division.
He had defeated incumbent Datuk Mohd Tajuddin Abdullah and two other candidates, former Sik Member of Parliament Dr Mansor Abdul Rahman and former Jeneri assemblyman Mahadzir Abdul Hamid.
Kedah Umno Information chief Datuk Shaiful Hazizy Zainol Abidin won by razor thin 11 majority votes to rise the rank of Merbok division chief position after defeating incumbent Annuar Ahmad.
In Kubang Pasu, Datuk Aminuddin Omar denied Datuk Seri Johari Baharom's wishes to revive his political career after defeating the former deputy minister for the division chief post.
Datuk Muthalib Harun won the crowded four-cornered battle to claim the Kuala Kedah Umno division chief post, after serving as the vice chief for four terms.
They are the five new faces at helm of Umno divisions in Kedah after emerging victorious in the party's polls yesterday.
Former Kedah menteri besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah back into political limelight after successful comeback as the Alor Star division chief.
Bashah defeated the division's deputy chief Zamri Mat to secure a stunning return into active politics after stepping down from the post five years ago.
Meanwhile, nine incumbents retained their division chief post in yesterday polls.
Former Umno vice president Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid retained his Padang Terap division chief post unopposed.
Eight division chiefs retained their post after defeating their contenders in the polls.
In Jerai, state Umno liaison committee chairman Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom retained his position after surviving a four-cornered battle.
The other seven incumbents who edged their opponents to retain their division chief post are Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Rahim (Baling); Datuk Suraya Yaacob (Pendang); Datuk Othman Aziz (Jerlun); Datuk Said Ali Syed Rastan (Pokok Sena), Datuk Muhar Hussain (Kulim-Bandar Baharu), Datuk Shahanim Yusof (Sungai Petani) and Datuk Asmadi Abu Talib (Padang Serai).
Some 15,000 delegates in Kedah's 15 divisions cast their vote in the party polls yesterday.
They were among the 190,000 delegates nationwide eligible to elect Umno division committees, the vice-presidents and Supreme Council members for the 2023-2026 term.