Johor Umno’s Hasni accepts defeat in bid for party posts

JOHOR BARU, March 20 — Former Johor menteri besar Datuk Seri Hasni Mohammad has conceded defeat in the two party posts he contested during last weekend’s Umno election.

He said the defeats will not affect his performance of his duties as both state and federal elected representative.

“I accept the decision with open arms and will never shirk in my responsibilities to work and lead the community as the Benut assemblyman and Simpang Renggam MP.

“I will devote my time to serve,” said Hasni in a Facebook post today.

The 64-year-old politician failed to make the cut as one of the three Umno vice presidents on Saturday.

On the same day, he also failed to defend his Pontian Umno division chief post against the party’s secretary-general, Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan.

Hasni thanked the delegates who supported him in the election and those that helped him throughout the campaign period.

The former Johor Umno chief also congratulated the leaders selected for the party’s new term.

Yesterday, it was confirmed that Hasni lost the Pontian Umno post to Ahmad despite a recount of the votes by the party’s election committee.

Ahmad, who is also the Pontian MP, was named as the winner for the Pontian division chief post on Saturday after beating Hasni by 90 votes.

It was believed that a recount was requested as the votes were considered marginal.

The Pontian Umno division has long been considered Hasni’s political power base that he had helmed for the past 22 years.

Ahmad was previously the Pontian Umno division deputy chief before he mounted a challenge for the top spot.