Umno appoints Tajuddin as election director

 

Pasir Salak parliamentarian Tajuddin Adbul Rahman is now Umno's election director for the 15th general election.

In an appointment letter dated today that was sighted by Malaysiakini, Tajuddin's appointment is with immediate effect.

"The scope of duties and responsibilities as Umno election director for the 15th general election will be announced later," according to the letter signed by party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

"I believe that he can give his commitment in executing his duty and help to bring victory for Umno and BN in the upcoming polls," he said.

While the duty scope of Tajuddin remained unknown, it is uncommon for Umno to appoint an election director. This is because the BN election director's post was traditionally held by Umno deputy president to deal with matters related to elections and by-elections within BN component parties.

On Oct 27, Umno had reaffirmed its support for Perikatan Nasional (PN) and Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin but demanded better cooperation based on "respect" and "political consensus".

This came after speculation that some of the BN parliamentarians from Umno shifted their support for PKR president Anwar Ibrahim as the prime minister earlier last month.

Back then, Tajuddin himself opined that PN was not a sustainable coalition in its current form but can avoid disintegration if it was fair to all its partners.

He then said some in Umno might support PKR president Anwar Ibrahim if the latter could come out with a formula to make others happy.

Even with Umno and other ruling parties pledging their support for Muhyiddin, it remained to be seen if Budget 2021 could be passed in the ongoing Dewan Rakyat sessions. It is equivalent to a no-confidence vote against Muhyiddin if the budget is rejected.

Tajuddin said Muhyiddin had no reason to doubt BN's support for the budget proposal.

Zahid, in a statement last week, called for snap polls to be held once the Covid-19 pandemic is under control. - Mkini