[UPDATED] Noh Omar steps down as Selangor Umno chief

KUALA LUMPUR – Tan Sri Noh Omar has resigned as Selangor Umno liaison chief effective immediately, plunging the Malay-based party into further crisis.

The party veteran made the announcement after attending Umno’s political bureau meeting here today chaired by party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He said his decision to step down was made after Zahid decided to drop him from contesting in the 15th general election, signalling a loss of confidence in him (Noh).

“I was overlooked as a candidate, but I didn’t harbour any ill-feeling. But the way the president handled it was as though he didn’t appreciate what I have done to help build Selangor Umno.

“When the president no longer has confidence in me, I would like to announce that I am officially resigning as Selangor Umno chairman,” he told reporters here.

“Not only has he lost faith in me, but I have also lost confidence in him. If he is big-hearted enough, he should also step down (as president) just like Datuk Seri Najib Razak did.”

Najib resigned as Umno president in the immediate aftermath after Barisan Nasional suffered a shocking defeat at the hands of Pakatan Harapan in the 2018 general election.

In the recently concluded polls, BN performed terribly, securing a meagre 30 parliamentary seats.

Asked to elaborate on the push for Zahid’s resignation, Noh said he delivered his message to the president during the political bureau meeting today.

On whether other party members share his view, Noh said he was not in a position to comment on behalf of his colleagues.

The Vibes has been informed that today’s Umno’s meeting was a tense one, with leaders trading barbs following the catastrophic election result.

Meanwhile, Noh said this evening’s Umno Supreme Council meeting has been postponed, but did not elaborate further. – The Vibes, November 20, 2022