No Discussion On Johor Polls In Meeting With King, UMNO Supreme Council - Ahmad Zahid

JOHOR BAHRU, May 11 (Bernama) -- UMNO president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said there was no discussion on the Johor state election during the meeting with His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, nor at the UMNO Supreme Council (MT) meeting today.

He said the audience and photo session with His Majesty and the Regent of Johor, Tunku Mahkota Ismail, at Istana Besar Johor, were held in conjunction with UMNO’s 80th anniversary celebration.

“I met (the King), but did not touch on that matter at all. It was a highly significant occasion as UMNO’s establishment on May 11, 1946 also took place at Istana Besar Johor, where a similar photo session was held,” he said.

The Deputy Prime Minister spoke to reporters after chairing the UMNO Supreme Council meeting at the Johor UMNO Liaison Committee building here.

Also present were deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan; vice-presidents Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin and Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani; secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki; and Johor UMNO chief, Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, who is also Johor Menteri Besar.

Ahmad Zahid said the meeting discussed major national issues.

“I would like to stress that this was merely a regular meeting. Although many national issues were discussed, the Johor state election was not raised,” he said.

On the possibility of the Johor state election being held earlier than Melaka, he said any decision would only be discussed with Onn Hafiz after obtaining the consent of His Majesty the King and the Regent of Johor.

Meanwhile, he praised the Johor State Government under Onn Hafiz’s leadership.

“The increase in state revenue has enabled fair distribution to all segments of society regardless of age, race and religion. We hope this prosperity will be appreciated by all Johoreans,” he said.

-- BERNAMA