JOHOR BARU, Feb 17 — Johor Umno Youth leader Mohd Hairi Mad Shah today confirmed that he will be contesting for the party’s Johor Baru division chief post, following veteran politician Tan Sri Shahrir Abdul Samad’s exit.
Mohd Hairi said the decision was made shortly after Shahrir, who is the division’s longest-serving chief, announced that he would not defend his post for the coming party election.
"After the announcement was made, we discussed the situation with my family and friends.
"I then decided to offer myself to continue the good work that Tan Sri (Shahrir) has contributed to as the Johor Baru division chief,” said Mohd Hairi in a statement today.
The Johor Baru Umno division chief post has been under the leadership of Shahrir for more than 40 years. The 73-year-old former cabinet minister is considered the most senior Umno leader in Johor.
Mohd Hairi, who is also the Larkin assemblyman, hopes that he will receive the needed support.
As the Johor Youth, Sports, Entrepreneur Development, Cooperatives and Human Resources Committee chairman, he also aims to maintain Umno’s legacy in Johor Baru, especially in the areas of welfare and servicing the constituents.
Mohd Hairi is expected to lock horns with seasoned Johor Baru Umno politician Datuk Yahya Jaafar for the division’s top post.
On February 3, Johor Umno chief Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin announced that Shahrir would be relinquishing his division chief post ahead of the party election.
Mohamed Khaled made the announcement after chairing the Johor Umno special committee meeting after he was appointed as the party’s state chief, replacing former mentri besar Datuk Hasni Mohammad.
