Najib announces four new Umno Supreme Council members

Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak (pic, left) yesterday announced the appointment of four additional Umno Supreme Council (MT) members – two from Wanita Umno and one each from the Youth and Puteri wings.

Najib said they were Wanita Umno deputy chief Datuk Azizah Mohd Dun, the movement's assistant secretary Datuk Rosni Sohar, Umno Youth deputy chief Khairul Azwan Harun and Puteri deputy chief Zahida Zarik Khan.

"We have powers to appoint 13 additional MT members, two from Wanita, one each from Pemuda (Youth) and Puteri. So the names of the remaining nine will be announced early next week," he said.

He told this to reporters at the Putra World Trade Centre after chairing the first MT meeting following the Umno polls last month.

"The MT also took the decision to invite all Menteris Besar (from Barisan Nasional controlled states) to sit in the meeting because of their powers as menteris besar and state Umno liaison chiefs. This has been done before," he said. 

"Their presence will not restrict the opportunity to appoint nine more members to the MT. "

Najib said the MT also endorsed continuing the services of Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, treasurer Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah and Information chief Datuk Ahmad Maslan.

He also announced the setting up of a special committee chaired by Umno deputy president Umno Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to receive any suggestions and views to improve the process of Umno's election, which was changed to a new format after amendments to the party constitution in 2009.

He said the suggestions received would be studied without sacrificing the fundamental concept, namely election by a large number of delegates, because it was a very good principle to be continued and was accepted by party members.

"This shows that Umno has the political commitment to transform the party so that it will become more progressive according to the demands of the changing times", said Najib.