KUALA LUMPUR: Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi "withdrew" from nominating himself as the party's and Barisan Nasional's (BN) pick for the prime ministerial candidate.
The matter was confirmed by Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan when he was asked to explain why the party had chosen Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who was the deputy prime minister, during the previous Perikatan Nasional (PN) administration.
"During the Umno Supreme Council's meeting last night as well as the meeting with members of Parliament (from Umno and BN), the party president (Zahid) withdrew from being nominated (as prime ministerial candidate).
"The second man in the party (Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan) did not meet the criteria since he is only an assemblyman.
"Hence, Umno decided to go with the number 3 leader in the party, that is Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri (Yaakob)," he told reporters after a special meeting between top brass in Umno and Pas to discuss their choice candidate for the prime ministerial post to be submitted to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.
Ahmad Maslan, who is Pontian member of Parliament, said Ismail Sabri has all the necessary experience to lead the country.
"He was the deputy prime minister and senior minister (security cluster) in handling Covid-19.
"He was also the opposition leader (when Pakatan Harapan was the federal government)," he said. - NST
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