LABUAN: Former Labuan Umno Youth chief Mohd Rafi Ali Hassan won the party’s Labuan Division chief post after the incumbent, Datuk Bashir Alias, decided not to defend the post in the party election.
Mohd Rafi’s victory (after nominations were closed on Feb 26) was secured after the Labuan Umno leaders paved the way for him to lead the division, with his vast experience in local and national politics.
He has also announced to contest the Umno supreme council election for the 2023-2026 term.
Mohd Rafi, 45, former political secretary to former Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, also said he would use his experience as a former youth leader to contribute to, and strengthen the party.
“I will use my experience at the grassroots level since 2008 to forge a strong leadership line-up, to manage the party and serve the community on this island,” he told Bernama when contacted Friday.
Bashir is now the division deputy chief, while Datuk Khalid Abd Ghani is vice chief.
Khalid said that a total of 43 candidates from several branches were vying for 20 division committee member posts.
Division secretary Mohd Dzulfaizal Ab Manan confirmed that Niswati Tarji has retained the wanita chief post unopposed.
Umno elections began on Feb 1 and will run until March 18, with the branch polls for the committees, Wanita, Youth and Puteri wings from Feb 1 to 26.
The divisional elections for the Wanita, Youth and Puteri committees will be held simultaneously nationwide on March 11.
The Umno divisional delegates meetings and elections, along with the election of Umno Supreme Council members, will be held simultaneously throughout the country on March 18.
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