'If only 20 of 22 Selangor division chiefs get councillor posts, best to turn down all'

Greed did not play a part in Selangor Umno's decision to reject Pakatan Harapan's offer of local councillor positions, said Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The Umno president’s comment came after the party’s state chapter declined the 20 local council posts the coalition offered to them out of 288 councillor seats in Selangor.

"There is no question of greed in this matter because we have 22 division chiefs (in the state).

"So if some get it and some don't, it's better that they all don't get it," Zahid said.

In rejecting the offer earlier, Selangor Umno instead asked for 373 Village Development and Security Committee positions in the state.

Speaking at a press conference after an engagement session with the Malaysian Motorcycle Association in Putrajaya today, Zahid said he left the matter to the discretion of Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari.

Selangor MB Amirudin Shari

"Even though we are outside the local government leadership we still support the programmes of the state government through them," he added.

Zahid also insisted that Umno is not discouraged and will continue to "play its role independently".

The deputy prime minister revealed that the decision to reject the position was made in a meeting of 22 Umno divisions in Selangor.

"And I think the decision should be respected," he said.